In today’s market, there are various database options available, such as RDBMS, NoSQL, Big Data, and Database Appliance, among others. This array of choices can sometimes be overwhelming for developers. They do not understand why they should consider a newer, alternative database when RDBMSs have been around for 25+ years. Nevertheless, numerous large enterprises have already adopted alternative databases, leading to cost savings, quicker innovation, and successful project completion.
Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)
An RDBMS database is a type of relational database that uses SQL (Structured Query Language) as the standard language for managing data. Data is structured in rows and columns within RDBMS, and the relationships between tables are represented in a tabular format. SQL is the programming language employed to execute various tasks, such as updating and retrieving data from a database. Several common relational database management systems that utilize SQL include Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft SQL Server, and Access, among others.
Features Of RDBMS
- SQL databases are table based databases.
- Data store in rows and columns.
- In a relational database, each row holds a distinct set of data for the categories outlined by the columns.
- The primary key provides a mechanism to uniquely identify rows within the database.
Limitations for SQL database
Scalability: Scaling a relational database often requires expensive and complex, powerful servers. To scale it, you need to distribute it across multiple servers, which can be challenging, particularly when managing tables across different servers.
Complexity: In SQL Server, data must be organized into tables. If your data does not fit into tables, then you need to design your database structure that will be complex and again difficult to handle.
NoSQL
NoSQL commonly referred to as “Not Only SQL”. NoSQL databases allow for the storage of unstructured, schema-less data across multiple collections and nodes. They do not require fixed table schemas, support limited join queries, and can be horizontally scaled.
Benefits of NoSQL
Highly and easily scalable : Relational databases (RDBMS) are vertically scalable, which means that when the load increases, you scale the database by enhancing the power of the server hardware, often requiring expensive and larger servers. In contrast, NoSQL databases are designed for horizontal scaling, meaning you expand by adding more machines to your resource pool.
Maintaining NoSQL Servers is Less Expensive : High-end RDBMS systems can be costly to maintain and demand trained personnel for database management. In contrast, NoSQL databases are easier to manage, thanks to features like automatic repair, simplified data distribution, and straightforward data models. This reduces the administrative and tuning requirements for NoSQL databases.
Lesser Server Cost and open-Source : NoSQL databases are cost-effective and often open-source. Their implementation is typically straightforward and relies on affordable servers to handle growing data and transactions. In contrast, RDBMS databases are expensive and require substantial server and storage systems. As a result, the cost per gigabyte for storing and processing data in NoSQL databases can be significantly lower compared to RDBMS.
No Schema or Fixed Data model : NoSQL databases are schema-less, allowing data to be inserted without a predefined schema. This flexibility means the data format or model can be modified at any time without disrupting the application. In SQL databases, managing changes and schemas can be a significant challenge.
Support Integrated Caching : oSQL databases support caching in system memory, which enhances data output performance. In SQL databases, achieving this requires a separate infrastructure.
Limitations and disadvantage of NoSQL
- NoSQL databases are often open source, which is both their greatest strength and weakness. While openness fosters innovation, it also means there are no well-defined standards for NoSQL databases. As a result, no two NoSQL databases are the same.
- Graphical user interface (GUI) tools for accessing databases are not as readily available in the market, making them less flexible to access compared to other methods.
- It can be challenging to find NoSQL experts because it is a relatively new technology, and many NoSQL developers are still in the learning phase.
- No stored procedures in mongodb (NoSql database).
Conclusion
Both RDBMS and NoSQL databases are valuable for efficient data management, ensuring optimized and smooth data storage and retrieval. It is hard to say which technology is better, so developer take decision according requirement and situations.
