Request for comments: Removing graph queries from RavenDB

In version 4.2 we have added an experimental feature to RavenDB, Graph Queries. That was quite a bit of effort and we were really excited about it. The feature was marked as experimental and had been in the product in that state for the past 4 years or so.

Unfortunately, while quite impressive, it didn’t graduate from an experimental feature to a stable one. Mostly because there wasn’t enough usage of graph queries to warrant it. We have seen its usage in some cases, but it seems that our target audience isn’t interested in graph queries for RavenDB.

Given that there isn’t much use of graph queries, we are also aren’t spending much time there. We are looking at the 6.0 release (scheduled around July 2022) and we realize that this feature makes our life more complicated and that the support burden of keeping it outweigh its benefits.

For that reason, we have made the decision to remove the experimental Graph Queries from RavenDB in the 6.0 release. Before we actually pull the trigger on that, I wanted to get your feedback on the feature and its usage. In particular, if you are using it and if so, what are you using it for?

The most common scenarios for this feature are already covered via projection queries in RavenDB, which often can be easier to express for developers.

Regardless, the feature will remain in the 5.x branch and the 5.2 version LTS will support it until at least 2024.