Source: https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/overview/versus/
Documentation version: v5.3.2

# Graph vs Temporary Graph

Developer Edition supports persistent graphs and temporary graphs. Persistent graph data is stored on disk. Temporary graph data resides in the memory of the current Graph service and is lost when that service exits. You can copy data from an existing graph into a temporary graph or create an empty one from a graph type. Changes to a temporary graph do not affect its source graph.

Developer Edition runs on one host with one data partition and one replica. See [Features and limitations](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/intro/limitations/) for deployment limits.

## Feature comparison

 | Feature | Persistent graph | Temporary graph
 | Creation | [CREATE GRAPH](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/ddl/graph/create/) | [CREATE TEMPORARY GRAPH](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/ddl/graph-projection/create/)
 | Data storage | Disk | Memory of the current Graph service
 | Lifetime | Persists until deleted | Lost when the Graph service exits
 | Data changes | Supported | Supported; do not affect the source graph
 | Queries | Supported | Supported through a connection to the Graph service that created it

## Syntax comparison

The following table shows the main syntax differences. See each linked statement for conditions and examples.

 | Syntax | Persistent graph | Temporary graph
 | [MATCH](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/dql/match/) | Supported | Supported
 | [INSERT](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/dml/insert/), [SET](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/dml/set/), [DELETE](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/dml/delete/) | Supported | Supported
 | [SAMPLE](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/dql/clauses/sample/) | Supported | Not supported
 | [IMPORT](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/in-out/import/) | Not supported | Supported
 | [Match compute](https://dev-docs.nebula-graph.io/v5.3.2/database-gql-reference/match-compute/) | Not supported | Supported