“No SQL Database” might seem like an oxymoron. NoSQL databases have been around for years, but in recent years they are gaining more and more popularity. NoSQL is a type of database that provides a way to retrieve and store data without the necessary tabular relations found in relational databases. Although relational databases have their own advantages, when it comes to handling big data, NoSQL has a promising potential.
While it was originally known as “non SQL” or “Not Only SQL,” it doesn’t mean that it prohibits Structured Query Language (SQL) at all. NoSQL is a good option if an enterprise needs a quick way to access and process big, unstructured data which are commonly stored in separate cloud servers.
Why and How NoSQL Works
To put it simply, the main advantage of NoSQL is that it doesn’t need to have tabular relations in order to retrieve necessary data. Relational databases on the other hand have these connections and need to open a table every time a connection is established in order to access the data stored in a specific table. As the query gets complex and the data to be retrieved becomes complicated and huge, the more tables will be opened in order to provide the data being requested. More opened tables means more resources being consumed, thus slowing the process and compromising the performance of the system in some cases.
Imagine how many tables need to be opened when one user requests for a certain data. If your website is Facebook, where users post 510 comments, upload 136,000 photos, and update 293,000 statuses every 60 seconds, your database would surely flip!
Luckily, the big Internet companies such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, and LinkedIn already saw through this problem and therefore pioneered the NoSQL technology. These companies deal with big data and therefore needed a way to still deliver what they promised to their users – a quick and seamless way to access information.
The true essence of NoSQL is to aid companies deliver the performance that their ever growing stakeholders and clientele expect.
Popular NoSQL Databases
Casssandra is a popular NoSQL database created by Facebook to address their specific needs. It was proprietary back then but it was released as open source in 2008. Google BigTable, Apache Hadoop, SimpleDB, and MemcacheDB are also promising. Other big companies using NoSQL are Twitter and NetFlix.
About MongoDB
MongoDB, a cross-platform document-oriented database, is also classified as NoSQL database. Derived from the word “humongous,” it made the integration of data in various types of applications faster and easier. MongoDB is free and open source, and it is being used as a backend software by big companies including Foursquare, eBay, and Craiglist.
Need IT Consulting in Houston?
If you are currently in the decision-making process as to what type of database is best for your company, feel free to contact the top companies offering IT consulting in Houston. These companies have the right expertise and years of experience hence they can provide you with an expert advice for you to make a sound decision. Among the leading Houston IT consulting companies is Webcreek. You can view the details of Webcreek Technology services here.
