Pathsuch

Pathsuch is a concept in graph theory and data management that refers to a formal framework for expressing and solving queries that require finding specific paths in a graph while enforcing pattern constraints along the path. It blends path traversal with pattern matching to allow complex navigation and validation tasks.

The term Pathsuch is a portmanteau of path and such (from German suchen meaning to search) and has appeared in theoretical discussions of query languages for graphs. It is not a widely standardized standard but a descriptive label used in several research papers to describe unified path-constrained queries.

Core concepts include representing graphs as labeled, directed structures with properties on nodes and edges. Pathsuch queries specify a path pattern using constructs such as regular expressions or context-free grammars, possibly with predicates on attributes. Evaluation uses automata-theoretic techniques or logic programming, and may support incremental maintenance for dynamic graphs.

Applications span graph databases, where constrained path queries are common; static and dynamic program analysis to trace information flow; bioinformatics for pathway tracing; and network routing under policy constraints.

Relation to other notions includes connections to regular path queries and context-free path queries, as well as pattern-based query languages like SPARQL with property graphs. See also path queries, graph databases, automata theory.