What is NOSQL?

NOSQL means Not Only SQL. This is such a data management system which is non relational. It is also a scalable database format. It is also an open source database system. It provides flexible schemas and scale easily with a huge amount of data and high user loads.

Before we discuss about NOSQL, let’s talk about CAP theorem.

Cap theorem:

• Cap theorem stands for
• Consistency
• Availability
• Partition Tolerance

Consistency: If data is written, any future read request should contain that data. That states that every read receives the most recent write or an error.

Availability: All reads contain data, but it might not be the most recent.

Partition Tolerance: The system continues to operate despite an arbitrary number of messages being dropped by network between nodes.

 Features of NOSQL Database:

Here we will discuss about the features of NOSQL database

• Flexible Schemas
• Horizontal Scaling
• It has much faster queries because of the data model
• Ease use of developers

 Types of NOSQL Database:

There are generally four types of NOSQL database. They are:

• Document Databases
• Graphical Databases
• Key Value stores
• Wide Column Stores

Let’s talk elaborately.

Document Databases:

This particular database store description of the data in a well structured document format. The benefit of this database is that developers don’t need to reference master schema to develop a program. With the enormous growth of JAVASCRIPT and JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), use of document databases are also increased. This database is used for CMS (Content Management System), E-Commerce Platforms, blogging platforms and so on.
Example: Couch base server, Mark logic, MangoDB etc.

Graphical Databases:

Graphical database stores the collected data as nodes, which are similar to rows in a relational database and edges which represent connection between nodes. Graph databases are used in social media platforms, reservation systems, and customer relationship management. Example: Allerograph, IBMGraph, Neo4j etc.

Key Value Stores:

Key value database is a simple type of database that contains keys and values. It is used in Web applications and session management.
Example: Aerospike, Radis and Riak.

Wide column stores:

It store data in table, rows and dynamic columns.

Example: Accumulo, Amazon simpleDB, HBase etc.

Advantages of NOSQL

There are many advantages of NOSQL. They are described below:

• It provides huge volume of data.
• It offers fast performance and horizontal Scalability.
• Don’t require a high performance server.
• It can balance all types of data format like structured, semi-structured and unstructured data.
• It can perform as a primary data source for online application.
• It provides a flexible schema design.
• It can be the better option for cloud, mobile, social media.
• It supports key developer languages and platform.

Disadvantages

In spite of these advantages there are also some disadvantages of NOSQL. They are:

• It does not work properly with relational data.
• There is lack of appropriate rules for the system.
• RDBMS databases are well structured now and offer more professionalism.
• It offers limited query capabilities.