NoSQL
NoSQL (aka “not only SQL”) database was introduced to handle lots of data. It makes it easier to store and retrieve data from the database which does not follow the tabular relational model which is used in the SQL database. For example companies like Facebook, Twitter have to handle large amounts of data everyday, so they need a flexible way to store and retrieve their data, therefore traditional methods can not be followed. NoSQL entered the industry to store big data.
Why NoSQL database?
The system response time becomes slow when you use RDBMS for massive volumes of data.
To resolve this problem, we could “scale up” our systems by upgrading our existing hardware. This process is expensive.
The alternative for this issue is to distribute database load on multiple hosts whenever the load increases. This method is known as “scaling out.”
NoSQL database is non-relational, so it scales out better than relational databases as they are designed with web applications in mind.
Types of NoSQL Databases
NoSQL Databases are mainly categorized into four types: Key-value pair, Column-oriented, Graph-based and Document-oriented. Every category has its unique attributes and limitations. None of the above-specified database is better to solve all the problems. Users should select the database based on their product needs.
Types of NoSQL Databases:
- Key-value Pair Base
- Column-oriented Graph
- Graphs based
- Document-oriented
Advantages of NoSQL
- Scalable
- Developer friendly
- Data available at any time, therefore can access data regardless of the time and the place.
- Faster
- Flexible
- Handle large amount of data.
- Easy to update
- Store any type of data.
- Consistency
- Have ability to query
- Simple to implement than using RDBMS
Disadvantages of NoSQL
- No standardization rules
- Limited query capabilities
- RDBMS databases and tools are comparatively mature
- It does not offer any traditional database capabilities, like consistency when multiple transactions are performed simultaneously.
- When the volume of data increases it is difficult to maintain unique values as keys become difficult
- Doesn’t work as well with relational data
- Open source options so not so popular for enterprises.
If you’d like to try a NoSQL database, MongoDB Atlas is a great place to start. Atlas is a database service that is fully managed by MongoDB and available on all of the leading cloud providers. Atlas has a forever-free tier that you can use to kick the tires and discover the basics.