5.6 Using Aggregate Functions in SQL Graph Queries

You can use aggregate functions in a SQL graph query to obtain an aggregated output.

Both SQL built-in Aggregate Functions and user-defined aggregates are supported. These functions can be included in both fixed length and variable length path patterns in a SQL graph query.

The aggregate functions can be applied in the COLUMNS clause or in the graph pattern WHERE clause of the SQL graph query. For instance, consider the following sample query:

SELECT *
FROM GRAPH_TABLE ( g
       MATCH (v1) (-[e]->(v2)){1,2}
       COLUMNS (LISTAGG(v2.id, ',') AS id_list)
)

The preceding graph query describes a variable length path pattern having {1,2} as the quantifier. The LISTAGG aggregate function is used in the COLUMNS clause to list all the ids along a path.

Similarly, you can also apply aggregations in a fixed length path pattern as shown:

SELECT *
FROM GRAPH_TABLE ( g
       MATCH (v1) (-[e]->(v2)){2}
       WHERE AVG(v2.age) >= 30
       COLUMNS (LISTAGG(v2.id, ',') AS id_list)
)

The preceding graph query describes a fixed length path pattern. The AVG aggregate used in the WHERE clause determines only those paths where the average age >= 30 condition is met. The resulting query output is a list of ids along a path.

See Example 5-15 for example queries using aggregations.

Using binding_count() in SQL Graph Queries

You can use the binding_count() aggregate to count the number of bindings to an element variable. This aggregate can only be used inside the COLUMNS clause or in the graph pattern WHERE clause of the SQL graph query. Also, note that you cannot specify UNIQUE or DISTINCT on the binding_count() element variable.

For instance, consider the following sample query:

SELECT *
FROM GRAPH_TABLE ( g
       MATCH (v1) (-[e]->(v2)){1,2}
       COLUMNS (binding_count(v2) AS cnt, LISTAGG(v2.id, ',') AS id_list)
)

The preceding graph query outputs a list of ids along a path together with the count of bindings to v2.

Also, see the Using binding_count() Aggregate example in Example 5-15.

See Also:

Graph Pattern in Oracle Database SQL Language Reference for more examples on aggregations