Encoding edges in graph databases

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:
• obtain a group of two or more integer values;
• set, for each integer value in the two or more integer values, a delta encoding tag that represents a delta encoding of the integer value with respect to at least one other integer value in the group;
• use a delta encoding state represented by the delta encoding tag to calculate an encoded value from the integer value;
• encode a length of the encoded value in a length tag for the integer value;
• and
• replace the integer value in the group with an encoded version comprising the delta encoding tag, the length tag, and the encoded value.

A system, comprising:

• a graph database storing a graph, wherein the graph comprises a set of nodes, a set of edges between pairs of nodes in the set of nodes, and a set of predicates;
• and
• an encoding module comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:
• obtain a group of two or more integer values to be stored in the graph database;
• and
• set, for each integer value in the two or more integer values, a delta encoding tag that represents a delta encoding of the integer value with respect to at least one other integer value in the group;
• use a delta encoding state represented by the delta encoding tag to calculate an encoded value from the integer value;
• encode a length of the encoded value in a length tag for the integer value;
• and
• replace the integer value in the group with an encoded version comprising the delta encoding tag, the length tag, and the encoded value.