NoSQL (Not Only SQL) databases are non-relational databases designed to handle large-scale data storage and high-speed operations. Unlike traditional SQL (relational) databases, NoSQL databases do not use structured tables, rows, and columns. Instead, they support flexible schema models such as key-value pairs, documents, column-family stores, and graph structures.
Why use it?
- Handles big data and high-velocity applications
- Schema-less (flexible structure)
- Horizontally scalable (distributed across multiple servers)
- Designed for high availability and fault tolerance
- Supports unstructured and Semi-Structured Data
Challenges of using it
- No Standard Query Language: Each database has its own querying method
- Limited ACID Transactions: Some NoSQL databases sacrifice consistency for speed
- Data Redundancy: NoSQL allows denormalization, which can lead to redundant data
See also NoSQL Database Model Comparison.