Index structures for graph databases

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments provide a system for processing queries of a graph database. During operation, the system executes a set of processes for accessing a lock-free hash table stored in memory on a computer system, wherein the processes include a write process and multiple read processes. Next, the system uses the processes and the lock-free hash table to index a graph database storing a graph. The system then uses the processes to access a compressed edge store containing a compact representation of the set of edges at a virtual time in the graph and a series of updates to the edges after the virtual time. During use of the processes and the lock-free hash table to index the graph database, the system references the set of edges in the compact representation from a set of entries in the lock-free hash table.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.