- Definition and Types
- NoSQL databases store data in non-tabular format instead of relational tables
- Five main types: document, key-value, wide-column, graph, and in-memory
- Document databases store semi-structured data in JSON-like documents
- Key-value databases use unique keys paired with values
- Column-oriented databases organize data in rows with varying column names
- Graph databases store data as nodes with relationships between elements
- In-memory databases provide ultra-low latency for real-time applications
- Key Features
- Flexible schemas allow easy adaptation to changing data requirements
- Horizontal scalability without downtime
- High availability through distributed architecture
- Faster queries without complex joins
- Some support ACID transactions, others lack standard consistency
- Advantages and Limitations
- Flexible data model and agile development capabilities
- Better suited for large datasets and real-time applications
- Less mature than relational databases with fewer tools
- Limited data integrity compared to SQL databases
- Not ideal for complex queries and joins
- Use Cases
- SQL databases excel in structured data and transactional information
- NoSQL databases preferred for global distributed user experiences
- Common uses include mobile, web, IoT, and real-time analytics