Last updated on: 2019-11-19
Authored by: Satyakam Mishra
This page presents the characteristics of relational database management systems (RDBMSs) and NoSQL databases.
For an introduction to relational databases and NoSQL databases, see Types of databases.
Relational databases are efficient systems, which makes them 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:
NoSQL is a schema-less alternative to SQL and RDBMSs designed to store, process, and analyze extremely large amounts of unstructured data.
In NoSQL databases, the principles of ACID (atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability) are reduced. In addition, the process of normalization is not mandatory in NoSQL. Due to the size and speed of modern data, it is preferable for NoSQL databases to be de-normalized.
NoSQL databases have the following properties:
The following table shows the types of non-relational databases and the features associated with them:
Type | Performance | Scalability | Flexibility | Complexity |
---|---|---|---|---|
Key-value store | High | High | High | High |
Column store | High | High | Moderate | Low |
Document store | High | Variable to high | High | Low |
Graph-based | Variable | Variable | High | High |
Reasons to use an SQL database
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