# Ingesting Data

Ingestion involves reading data from a source and mapping it to the graph structures you defined.

# Loading Source Data

You can read data from JSON files, APIs, or databases.

var devices = JsonConvert.DeserializeObject<DeviceJson[]>(File.ReadAllText("devices.json"));

# Adding Nodes

Use graph.TryAdd, graph.Update, or graph.AddOrUpdate to manage nodes in the graph.

# Node Persistence Methods

Method	Behavior if node exists	Behavior if node missing
`TryAdd`	Returns existing node; does not update properties.	Creates new node.
`Update`	Updates properties of the existing node.	Fails (throws exception or returns null).
`AddOrUpdate`	Updates properties of the existing node.	Creates new node.

foreach (var device in devices)
{
    // TryAdd is efficient for nodes that don't change once created (e.g. by Name)
    graph.TryAdd(new Nodes.Device() { Name = device.Name });
}

# Linking Nodes

Use graph.Link to create edges between nodes.

foreach (var part in parts)
{
    var partNode = graph.TryAdd(new Nodes.Part() { Name = part.Name });

    foreach (var device in part.Devices)
    {
        // Link part to device
        graph.Link(partNode, Node.Key(nameof(Nodes.Device), device), Edges.PartOf, Edges.HasPart);
    }
}

# Committing Changes

Pending operations are batched for performance. Ensure you commit them before finishing.

await graph.CommitPendingAsync();