Hello everyone,
Over the last 2 weeks, TinkerPop's proposal has been worked on with support
from:
* David Nalley (champion)
* Rich Bowen (mentor)
* Hadrian Zbarcea (mentor)
* Daniel Gruno (mentor)
* Marko Rodriguez (submitting on behalf of TinkerPop)
We feel it is now in prime shape from submission to vote. Enjoy!.
(URL to wiki version: https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPopProposal)
A. Abstract
TinkerPop <http://tinkerpop.com/> is a graph computing framework written in Java. A graph
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graph_%28mathematics%29> is a data structure composed of vertices and edges and is
useful for modeling complex domains with arbitrary relations (edges, links, lines) between entities (vertices, objects,
dots). TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> provides a core API that graph system vendors can
implement. There are various types of graph systems including in-memory graph libraries, OLTP graph databases, and OLAP
graph processors (see On Graph Computing <http://markorodriguez.com/2013/01/09/on-graph-computing/> for more
information). Once the core interfaces are implemented, the underlying graph system can be queried using the graph
traversal language Gremlin and processed withTinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop>-enabled
algorithms. For many, TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is seen as the JDBC
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Database_Connectivity> of the graph computing community.
B. Proposal
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> was formed in 2009 and is currently in the milestone series of 3.0.0. From the
start, TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> has provided its software open source and free to use for which ever
reason (commercial or otherwise). Initially the license was BSD, but as of TinkerPop3 <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop3>, the
license was changed to Apache2. The TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> team is composed of developers, evangelists,
and representatives from graph system vendors (see TinkerPop Contributors
<http://www.tinkerpop.com/docs/3.0.0-SNAPSHOT/#tinkerpop-contributors> for more information). TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> has done its best to remain vendor agnostic and works closely with all vendors to ensure
that the constructs within TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> are able to accommodate the requirements of the
underlying graph system. To date, 12 "TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> recognized" graph system vendors
provide TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> implementations. We believe that by joining The Apache Software
Foundation, our vendors, users, and contributors will feel more comfortable in terms of legal protected, in terms of wider-adoption, and in
terms of project stability.
C. Background
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> has had steady, active development since 2009 when it was
founded. Over the years, the Gremlin query language within TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> has
been adopted by various JVM languages and as such, there exists Gremlin-Groovy, Gremlin-Scala, Gremlin-Clojure,
Gremlin-JavaScript <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/JavaScript>, and the like. In many ways, Gremlin is seen as a
traversal style that can be readily adopted within the programming constructs of the developer's native language --- both on
and off the JVM. TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is not bound to the JVM in that developers
wishing to interact with a TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop>-enabled graph system can leverage
Gremlin Server which provides "over the wire" communication as well as the entry point for non-JVM language
bindings. TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is being used is production graph-based applications
around the world and is only getting better with age.
D. Rationale
The graph computing space has grown over the years to encompass numerous graph database and graph
processing systems. TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> was created as a
unifying framework for interoperability, language standardization, and data model standardization.
This framework makes it simple to "plug and play" the back-end graph implementation without
affecting the developer's code. This is analogous to the way in which the JDBC allows users to swap
relational databases while keeping the same programming interface. TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> also brings together OLTP systems (graph
databases) and OLAP systems (graph processors) by providing a single query language (Gremlin) for
executing graph algorithms transparently over either type of system. The seamless support of
single-machine systems and distributed systems provides an identical end-user experience within the
boundaries of the space and time constraints of the underlying graph system.
E. Initial Goals
The goal of this proposal is to migrate TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> to The Apache Software Foundation
to
1. get more exposure to the project
2. legally protect the developers and contributors of the project
3.
ensure that TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> has a
vendor-neutral, stable home for the future
F. Current Status
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is planning to release TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> 3.0.0.GA early 2015. We would like to release
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> 3.0.0.GA at the Apache Software
Foundation.
G. Meritocracy
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> already has an established community that
values meritocracy. Anyone is welcome to contribute to TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> and voice their opinions/thoughts on the direction
of the project. If an individual provides beneficial pull requests, documentation updates, theoretical
ideas, etc. then they are asked to join TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop>
as committers. Moreover, TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is a business
friendly community. It provides a forum where vendors collaborate, via individual representatives, by
contributing ideas, code and content.
We believe the values of the community align well with the ASF, and we are
willing to adapt our practices when necessary.
H. Community
The TinkerPop mailing list <https://groups.google.com/forum/#%21forum/gremlin-users> has
1500+ subscribers with a flow of approximately 10 emails a day. In addition to the initial
committers there are about two dozen folks that have contributed code to the project, and 1/2 of
those are from Graph vendors. Note that there are individuals that participate in the TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> ecosystem by providing language bindings and
system implementations. While not contributing to the core codebase per se, they supportTinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> via their software and lecture outreach.
I. Core developers
The initial committer list is small, and we hope to grow that into a larger,
vibrant community at the Apache Software Foundation.
J. Alignment
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is licensed Apache2. The OLAP reference
implementation that distributes with TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is based on
Hadoop <http://hadoop.apache.org/> and Giraph <http://giraph.apache.org/>. There has been a push from
vendors and commercial organizations interested in ensuring TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> has the legal support of a software foundation. We believe The
Apache Software Foundation to be a great home for TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop>.
K. Known Risks & Abandoned projects
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is currently at TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> 3.0.0.M6. There is a significant amount of code developed since TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop>'s inception. We have done our best to secure CLAs from contributors. To
date did not have any legal or political issues. TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> has 12 official
graph vendors that maintain or support a TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> implementation for their
system. If, lets say, 75% of those vendors decide against providing a TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> interface, then this would be detrimental to TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop>'s efforts. With that, it is very important that TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> remain neutral and engaged with vendors.
L. Inexperience with Open Source
The primary developers of TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> have been
producing TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> open source code and releases
in full public view since 2009 via both our GitHub <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/GitHub>
repository and our public mailing lists. We pride ourselves in professional software, documentation,
and aesthetics. With its integration to numerous graph systems in the market, we see TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> as a masterpiece in the open source space. We are
working with both open source and commercial entities to ensure a solid, respected product.
M. Homogeneous Developers
The initial set of committers all hail from different employers.
N. Reliance on Salaried Developers
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is open source and no
individual is paid for their contributions except for our logo designer. All the
logos and documentation graphics are released Apache2.
O. Relationships with Other Apache Projects
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> currently leverages Hadoop,
Giraph, and in the near future, will integrate with Spark
<https://spark.apache.org/>. Internally, the project leverages Maven3, Apache
Configuration, and Apache Commons.
P. An Excessive Fascination with the Apache Brand
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is interested in The Apache Software Foundation
for the legal support and protection it can offer our developers. Numerous large software organizations have
urged TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> to join a foundation so that they may
more easily provide contributors from their organization and moreover, maintain confidence in building
products atop TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop>. With that said, TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> does respect the Apache Software Foundation brand and
believes that by joining The Apache Software Foundation, we will further boost the recognition and prestige
of our product. Finally, note that a TinkerPop book <http://www.tinkerpopbook.com/> is slated for 2015.
Combining the Apache Software Foundation and a long awaited book should ensure a new uptake of contributors,
users, vendors, and promoters.
Q. Documentation
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> takes pride in its
documentation:
AsciiDoc <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/AsciiDoc>
http://www.tinkerpop.com/docs/3.0.0-SNAPSHOT/
JavaDoc <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/JavaDoc> (core)
http://www.tinkerpop.com/javadocs/3.0.0-SNAPSHOT/core/
JavaDoc <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/JavaDoc> (full)
http://www.tinkerpop.com/javadocs/3.0.0-SNAPSHOT/full/
R. Initial Source
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> is currently hosted on GitHub
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/GitHub>: https://github.com/tinkerpop/.
The following repositories would like to be migrated to ASF.
TinkerPop3 <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop3>
https://github.com/tinkerpop/tinkerpop3
Blueprints (TinkerPop2 <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop2>)
https://github.com/tinkerpop/blueprints
Pipes (TinkerPop2 <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop2>)
https://github.com/tinkerpop/pipes
Frames (TinkerPop2 <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop2>
https://github.com/tinkerpop/frames
Gremlin (TinkerPop2 <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop2>)
https://github.com/tinkerpop/gremlin
Rexster (TinkerPop2 <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop2>)
https://github.com/tinkerpop/rexster
S. Source & Intellectual Property Submission Plan
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> has required CLAs from
contributors in the past to ensure solid IP provenance. TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> plans to submit a Software Grant for
the content in the following repositories: https://github.com/tinkerpop/tinkerpop3
We plan to transfer to the ASF the TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop>
trademark as well as the commissioned artwork for TinkerPop
<https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> logos and the http://tinkerpop.com
<http://tinkerpop.com/> and http://tinkerpop.org <http://tinkerpop.org/> domains.
T. External Dependencies
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> relies on a number of
open source dependencies. We believe these to comply with the third-party licensing
guidelines. If any dependencies are unfit, we will make the necessary changes.
U. Cryptography
None.
V. Required Resources
W. Mailing Lists
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> requests the following
mailing list:
User Mailing List
us...@tinkerpop.incubator.apache.org
<mailto:us...@tinkerpop.incubator.apache.org>
Developer Mailing List
d...@tinkerpop.incubator.apache.org <mailto:d...@tinkerpop.incubator.apache.org>
Private Mailing List
priv...@tinkerpop.incubator.apache.org
<mailto:priv...@tinkerpop.incubator.apache.org>
Commits Mailing List
comm...@tinkerpop.incubator.apache.org
<mailto:comm...@tinkerpop.incubator.apache.org>
X. Subversion Directory
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> will use subversion for
it’s website and requests:
*
https://svn.apache.org/repos/asf/incubator/tinkerpop
Y. Git Repository
TinkerPop <https://wiki.apache.org/incubator/TinkerPop> wishes to have the
following created:
*
https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf/incubator-tinkerpop.git
And to have all of these mirrored to Github with integration taken care of.
Z. Issue Tracking
Please help us setup a JIRA instance for both issue tracking and code review
(TINKERPOP).
AA. Initial Committers and Affiliations
Marko A. Rodriguez (2009)
Aurelius
Stephen Mallette (2011)
Nidomics
James Thornton (2013)
Electric Speed
BB. Sponsors
* Champion: David Nalley
* Mentors: Rich Bowen, Matt Franklin, Daniel Gruno, David Nalley,
Hadrian Zbarcea
* Sponsoring Entity: We request the Incubator to sponsor this project.
