NoSQL Databases

NoSQL Database is also referred as “not only SQL” or “non-relational” or “non-SQL”. It accommodates the data in one structure unlike relational database, which contains data in tabular structure. It does not require a schema to manage large unstructured data sets. This database is developed to handle applications that require large data volume, flexible data models and low latency.

In NoSQL Database, the information is replicated and stored on different remote or local servers to ensure reliability and availability of data. It helps in creating database systems quickly and store new information to make it promptly available for search, analysis and consolidation. NoSQL databases provide speed and scalability, making it a popular choice in this era of growth within cloud, big data, and mobile and web applications.

NoSQL Databases Types

Based on the various types, NoSQL can be used for mobile app development, data analytics, social networks and managing big data. Following are the types of NoSQL Databases:

• Document Database: It stores the data in the form of document typically in JSON, XML, or BSON formats. It reduces the amount of translation need by keeping the data together. Document databases are mainly used for content management systems and user profiles.
• Key-Value Database: It is the simplest form of NoSQL wherein data is organized in such a way that each item has a key and a value. The key could be a shopping cart ID and the value is each item in that user’s shopping cart.
• Wide-Column Database: This database stores data in columns, which, enables users to access, only the specific columns required. Wide-Column database tries to resolve the flaws of key-value and document databases.
• Graph Database: It houses the data in the form of graph wherein data elements are stored as nodes and edges. It makes it easy to build and run applications that work with highly connected datasets. Graph databases are mostly used in recommendation engines, social networking, fraud detection, etc.
• In-memory: This type of database stores data in main memory rather than on disk. In-memory database are used in ad-tech and gaming applications that shows data like leaderboards, session stores, and real-time analytics.

NoSQL Databases Features

The best features of NoSQL that makes it user friendly are:

• JSON documents, columnar, or key-value data model: It enables to select most appropriate data model based on data requirements
• Modern development languages: It allows to access data using SDKs for Java, Python, Node.JS,
• Rich indexing into JSON documents: This feature helps in improving query performance by creating an index on any JSON field.
• Native analytics support: With this feature, developers can analyze NoSQL data, including cross-collection queries and parallel scalability without moving the data.
• Integrated with development tools: This feature allows using Eclipse and IntelliJ to query NoSQL cloud service with pre-built plug-ins.

Also Read: Databases

NoSQL Database Advantages

The developers prefer NoSQL Database because of some specific points. These points are:

• Flexibility: NoSQL database provides flexible schema and horizontal scaling which enables it to address large volume data quickly.
• Cost Effective: NoSQL database scale horizontally that does not require trained database managers and powerful hardware. It allocates data in a better way that minimizes the cost.
• Replication: This function copies the data and paste it to the different servers ensuring data reliability and availability. It also provide protection against the data lost in case the server goes offline.
• High-Performance: This database enables faster processing and agile storage for all users. Faster speed makes it a fit for complex web applications, mobile applications, e-commerce sites, etc.

Also Read: NewSQL Databases

NoSQL Database Uses

Check some specific uses of NoSQL databases here:

• Managing data relationships: Graph-based NoSQL database manages the complex datasets and the relationships between different points. This includes knowledge graphs, recommendation engines, fraud detection applications and social networks where connections are between people using various data types. 
• Low-latency performance: Ad-tech, gaming, home fitness applications, need high performance for real-time data management. In-memory NoSQL databases are used to provide immediate response and manage spikes in usage without the lag.
• Scaling and large data volumes: Key-value databases are frequently used in e-commerce applications to manage huge spikes in usage. Its assists in managing the data structure during heavy traffic. This will be valuable for gaming, ad-tech, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.