Creating User-Defined Functions in Apache AGE
Tags: postgres, apacheage, sql, analytics
Published: 2023-10-08 04:09:03

Apache AGE (A Graph Extension) is an open-source extension for PostgreSQL that enables you to work with graph data in a relational database. It allows you to model and query graph data efficiently using the power of SQL and PostgreSQL's rich ecosystem. One of the key features of Apache AGE is the ability to create user-defined functions (UDFs) for custom graph processing. 

## Understanding User-Defined Functions (UDFs)
User-Defined Functions (UDFs) are custom functions that you can define and use within SQL queries. These functions can take input parameters, perform specific operations, and return results just like built-in SQL functions. In Apache AGE, UDFs are particularly useful for extending the graph processing capabilities of the database.

Here are some scenarios where UDFs in Apache AGE can be beneficial:

_- Custom Graph Algorithms:_
 You can implement and use custom graph algorithms that are not available as built-in functions in Apache AGE.

_- Data Transformation:_
 UDFs allow you to manipulate and transform graph data as needed for your application.

_- Graph Pattern Matching: _
You can create UDFs to match specific graph patterns and extract relevant information from the graph.

## creating user-defined functions

_1. Define the Function_
First define the function and specify its behavior. This includes defining the function name, input parameters, and the logic it should execute. UDFs are defined using the CREATE FUNCTION statement. The syntax for this statement is as follows:

```
CREATE FUNCTION function_name(argument_list)
RETURNS return_type
AS $$
function_body
$$ LANGUAGE language;
```
The _function_name_ is the name of the function, the _argument_list_ is a comma-separated list of the function's arguments, the _return_type_ is the type of data that the function returns, and the _function_body_ is the body of the function, which contains the logic that the function will execute.

Here is a more complex example of a user-defined function (UDF) in Apache AGE:

```
CREATE FUNCTION get_friends_of_friends(user_id INTEGER)
RETURNS ARRAY<INTEGER>
AS $$
WITH friends AS (
  SELECT friend_id
  FROM user_friends
  WHERE user_id = user_id
), friends_of_friends AS (
  SELECT friend_of_friend.friend_id
  FROM friends
  INNER JOIN user_friends ON friends.friend_id = user_friends.user_id
  WHERE user_friends.friend_id != user_id
)
SELECT ARRAY_AGG(distinct friends_of_friends.friend_id) AS friend_of_friends_ids
FROM friends_of_friends;
$$ LANGUAGE SQL;

```
The function above takes a user's ID as input and returns an array of the IDs of their friends' friends. It does this by first creating a friends table of the user's friends. It then joins this table with the user_friends table to create a friends_of_friends table of the user's friends' friends.

User-Defined Functions in Apache AGE provide a powerful way to extend the graph processing capabilities of PostgreSQL and work with graph data more effectively. By defining custom functions, you can tailor your graph queries to suit the specific requirements of your applications. Whether you need to implement custom graph algorithms, perform data transformations, or match specific graph patterns, UDFs empower you to do so within the Apache AGE ecosystem

Visit: [https://github.com/apache/age](https://github.com/apache/age) to learn more abour age.