What is NoSQL Database Software?

Introduction

NoSQL is a non-relational DMS, and it does not need a fixed schema, scales easily, and avoids joins. NoSQL database software is utilized for distributed data stores and facilitates storage of large volumes of data. For this reason, it is used for real-time web applications and big data. For instance, companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter use this software to store their daily captured terabytes of user information.

Why NoSQL?

NoSQL databases have become popular thanks to internet behemoths like Amazon, Facebook, and Google that handle enormous data volumes. Using RDBMS for large data volumes slows system response times. And it is expensive to upgrade your existing hardware to scale up your systems to resolve the concern.

The alternative method is to share database load on several hosts when the load rises. This technique is termed “scaling out.” NoSQL database software is designed for web applications, therefore it scales out much better compared to relational databases. Conventional RDBMS utilizes SQL syntax to store and find data to glean insights. On the other hand, NoSQL database software includes a wide array of database technologies that can store polymorphic, unstructured, semi-structured, and structured data.

Features of NoSQL Database Software

Scales Easily

As mentioned above, relational databases are not built to scale cost-effectively or easily. They need bigger hardware servers for large volumes of data which ramps up costs or require sharding which creates operational admin hassles. The solution is to leverage NoSQL database with a peer-to-peer, masterless architecture with similarity in all nodes. This facilitates effortless scaling to meet the complexity and data volume of cloud apps. Further, this scalability also boosts performance, and permits high read/write speeds and continuous availability.

Multi-Model Flexibility

In relational databases, you need to place data in columns and tables for access and analysis. NoSQL databases offer a range of data model capabilities that make them very flexible in handling data. They can store and manage unstructured, semi-structured, and structured data, while relational databases are rigid and can mainly handle only structured data.

Architects and developers therefore select NoSQL database software to effortlessly manage the different requirements of agile app development. Widely used data models are key-value, wide-column, document, and graph. By supporting multiple data models, the software permits you to utilize the same information in various model types without needing to manage a wholly different database.

Zero Downtime

NoSQL database makes zero downtime possible with its masterless architecture, which enables you to maintain several data copies across multiple nodes. If a node fails, then the copy of another node can accessed swiftly and easily. This feature is important because downtime is expensive for enterprises.

Distributed

Invest in NoSQL database software that can distribute data at universal scale, which means it can utilize several locations involving several cloud regions and/or data centers for write/read processes. In contrast, relational databases leverage a centralized app that is dependent on a single site, especially for write processes. By utilizing a distributed database that has a masterless architecture, you can maintain high availability as data is distributed with several copies in multiple needed locations.  

Benefits of NoSQL Database Software

Big data capability

Can be leveraged as an analytic or primary data source

Effortless replication

No single failure point

Provides horizontal scalability and fast performance

No requirement for separate caching layer to store data

Can easily handle unstructured, semi-structured, and structured data

Doesn’t require a dedicated high-performance server

Created with object-oriented programming which is flexible and simple to use

Simpler to deploy compared to RDBMS

Supports popular developer platforms and languages

Manages big data which handles data velocity, complexity, volume, and variety

It can function as the main data source for web applications

Presents a flexible schema design that can be effortlessly changed without service disruption or downtime

Excels at multi-data center and distributed database operations