Properties of RDBMSs and NoSQL databases

This article presents the characteristics of relational database management systems (RDBMSs) and NoSQL databases.

Prerequisite

For an introduction to relational databases and NoSQL databases, see Types of databases.

Properties of relational databases

Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) are efficient and a common choice for storing financial records, logistical information, personnel data, and other information in new databases. Because they are easier to understand and use than NoSQL databases, relational databases also frequently replace legacy hierarchical databases and network databases.

Relational databases have the following properties:

• Values are atomic.

• All of the values in a column have the same data type.

• Each row is unique.

• The sequence of columns is insignificant.

• The sequence of rows is insignificant.

• Each column has a unique name.

• Integrity constraints maintain data consistency across multiple tables.

Properties of NoSQL databases

NoSQL is a non-schema alternative to SQL and RDBMSs designed to store, process, and analyze extremely large amounts of unstructured data.

NoSQL databases deemphasize the principles of ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability). In addition, the process of normalization is not mandatory in NoSQL. Because of the size and speed of modern data, you shoud de-normalize NoSQL databases.

NoSQL databases have the following properties:

• They have higher scalability.

• They use distributed computing.

• They are cost effective.

• They support flexible schema.

• They can process both unstructured and semi-structured data.

• There are no complex relationships, such as the ones between tables in an RDBMS.

The following table shows the types of non-relational databases and the features associated with them:

Next step

Reasons to use an SQL database

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