A knowledge graph uses entities, relationships, and attributes to describe the real world. The following introduces important concepts related to the Geographic Knowledge Graph module.

Graph Database

In the face of more diverse data sources, more complex data relationships, and business logic, traditional relational databases can no longer meet demands, such as performing high-performance deep analysis and associative queries. A knowledge graph uses a graph database as its storage engine. For more usage information, please refer to Configure and Connect the Graph Database.

Entity Type

An entity type defines a collection of similar entities that share a common set of attributes and a spatial feature type. For example, a certain category of people, objects, or geographic features. It is managed in a list in Graph Manager.

Type of Relationship

A type of relationship defines a collection of similar relationships that exist between two entity types, sharing a common set of attributes and a spatial feature type. A type of relationship can be considered from multiple dimensions, such as attribute, spatial, or temporal dimensions, for example, adjacency, containment, association, or dependency relationships. It is managed in a list in Graph Manager.

Entity

Entities are the nodes in a graph, representing distinctive and independently existing objective things. They are individual instances within an entity type, similar to a record in a relational database. For example, if the entity type is "City," then "Beijing" represents one entity. An entity can contain multiple attributes. The knowledge graph module provides capabilities for entities, including Creating, Deleting, displaying, Customizing Styles, and viewing properties.

Attribute

Attributes are objective characteristics of an entity, similar to variables. For example, for the entity "Beijing," attributes include population and area.

Relationship

Relationships are the edges in a graph, used to connect two entities and describe the connection from one entity to another. They have directionality; a node can be pointed to by multiple relationships or serve as the starting point for relationships. The knowledge graph module provides the capability to build relationships.

Graph Map

A visual network form based on nodes and relationships. SuperMap iDesktopX will add a "Graph" node to the Workspace, which is a view type parallel to the map, used to store the graph views you explore.

Graph Map Document

Similar to an XML document for a map template, it saves the style information of a graph. After export, it can be used for sharing.

Data Lineage

Writes the GPA execution process into the graph database. The constructed data lineage graph can intuitively display the data calculation process and trace the relationships of data resources. This is a key capability in data governance, providing product support solutions in data management and governance.