Officially out now: The TypeDB 3.0 Roadmap

Lesson 4: Writing data

Inserting simple data

  • Insert queries are used to insert data. They comprise either an insert clause only, or a match clause and an insert clause. Insert queries are run using a data session and write transaction.

    insert
    # insert clause
    match
    # match clause
    insert
    # insert clause
  • All attributes are multivalued, allowing an entity or relation to own any number of attributes of the same type, as long as they each have different values.

  • An Insert query without a match clause inserts data once. An Insert query with a match clause inserts data multiple times, once for each match found.

Inserting polymorphic data

  • A polymorphic insert can be performed by using a polymorphic pattern in the match clause of an Insert query.

  • When inserting a relation, the roles can be omitted if they can be inferred unambiguously.

Deleting data

  • Delete queries are used to delete data. They comprise a match clause and a delete clause. Delete queries are run using a data session and write transaction.

    match
    # match clause
    delete
    # delete clause
  • Delete queries delete data per statement.

  • A has statement is used to delete an entity or relation’s attribute.

    $entity has $deleted-attribute;
  • An isa statement is used to delete an entity or relation.

    $deleted-entity isa entity-type;
  • When deleting a roleplayer in a relation, the relation must also be deleted manually if required. A relation is only deleted automatically if all of its roleplayers are deleted.

Updating data

  • Update queries are used to update data. They comprise a match clause, a delete clause, and an insert clause. Update queries are run using a data session and write transaction.

    match
    # match clause
    delete
    # delete clause
    insert
    # insert clause

Data validation

  • All inserted data is validated against the schema.

  • Inserting data that does not conform to the schema will cause an exception to be thrown.

  • An exception will also be thrown if deleting or updating data leads to an invalid state.

Further learning

Learn how to define schemas for TypeDB, including type hierarchies, interfaces between types, value constraints, and inference rules.

Learn more about writing data to TypeDB, covering Insert queries, Delete queries, and Update queries.

Read the Insert query reference, including syntax, behaviour, and advanced usage.