> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://new.docs.falkordb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# GRAPH.RO_QUERY

> Executes a given read only query against a specified graph

Executes a given read only query against a specified graph.

Arguments: `Graph name, Query, [timeout], [--compact], [version]`

Returns: [Result set](/design/result-structure) for a read only query or an error if a write query was given.

| Optional argument | Description                                                                                                                                                                                          |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `timeout`         | Query-level timeout in milliseconds. See [the configuration section](/getting-started/configuration#timeout).                                                                                        |
| `--compact`       | Returns results in [compact format](/design/client-spec#retrieving-the-compact-result-set).                                                                                                          |
| `version`         | Graph version number. When provided, the server rejects the query with a `version mismatch` error if the current graph version doesn't match, allowing clients to invalidate cached schema mappings. |

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  graph.ro_query("MATCH (p:president)-[:born]->(:state {name:'Hawaii'}) RETURN p")
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const result = await graph.roQuery("MATCH (p:president)-[:born]->(:state {name:'Hawaii'}) RETURN p");
  console.log(result);
  ```

  ```java Java theme={null}
  ResultSet result = graph.readOnlyQuery("MATCH (p:president)-[:born]->(:state {name:'Hawaii'}) RETURN p");
  System.out.println(result);
  ```

  ```rust Rust theme={null}
  let result = graph.ro_query(r#"MATCH (p:president)-[:born]->(:state {name:'Hawaii'}) RETURN p"#).execute().await?;
  println!("{:?}", result);
  ```

  ```bash Shell theme={null}
  GRAPH.RO_QUERY us_government "MATCH (p:president)-[:born]->(:state {name:'Hawaii'}) RETURN p"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Query-level timeouts can be set as described in [the configuration section](/getting-started/configuration#timeout).

## Frequently Asked Questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What is the difference between GRAPH.QUERY and GRAPH.RO_QUERY?">
    **GRAPH.RO\_QUERY** only executes read operations and will return an error if you attempt a write query (CREATE, SET, DELETE, MERGE with creation). **GRAPH.QUERY** supports both read and write operations.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why should I use GRAPH.RO_QUERY instead of GRAPH.QUERY for reads?">
    GRAPH.RO\_QUERY can be distributed to read replicas in a clustered setup, improving read scalability. It also provides a safety guarantee that data will not be accidentally modified.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I pass a write query to GRAPH.RO_QUERY?">
    The command will return an error indicating that write queries are not permitted. The graph data will remain unchanged.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does GRAPH.RO_QUERY support the same optional parameters as GRAPH.QUERY?">
    Yes. GRAPH.RO\_QUERY accepts the same optional parameters: `timeout`, `--compact`, and `version`.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>