Deciding whether to use a SQL-based database or a NoSQL-based database is one of the most important decisions to be made in the planning phase of any project.
Both data management systems have their own application areas, advantages and disadvantages. Before moving on to explain the 8 major differences between SQL and NoSQL database management systems, let us first have a brief introduction of the two contenders.
What is SQL?
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is a query language designed specifically for dealing with data housed by relational databases. These databases are called relational databases as they rely on relations, which are in fact tables.
With relations, SQL or relational database management systems are able to store data as well as match the data by means of common characteristics appearing within the dataset.
SQL is used for creating as well as examining objects in relational databases. It is also used for creating the data as well as the schema for that data.
Ingres, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle Database, PostgreSQL, and Sybase are some notable examples of SQL database management systems.
What is NoSQL?
Unlike a SQL database, a NoSQL database doesn’t require a fixed schema. Moreover, it doesn’t necessarily enforce relations between tables. A non-relational database is made up of JSON documents. These are complete entities that can be instantly read.
NoSQL databases are non-relational databases that offer high performance and utilize a diverse range of data models. Such databases are preferred due to their ease-of-use, high availability, and robust flexibility. Hence, they make up for a lucrative option for dealing with Big Data.
Amazon Dynamo DB, Apache Cassandra, Bigtable, CloudDB, Couchbase, MarkLogic, Scylla and MongoDB are some of the most popular examples of NoSQL database management systems.
NoSQL vs SQL: The Face-off
While making the choice between NoSQL and SQL, it is essential to keep these 8 differences in mind:
Community and Support
The advent of SQL and NoSQL approaches of data management is separated by a timespan of more than 20 years.
SQL has been in the limelight for over 4 decades as of now. Hence, it has matured, resulting in a mammoth community that is readily available for assisting and collaborating.
Chat sections and dedicated forums are voluntarily available across multiple web resources for SQL experts to share their knowledge with rest of the SQL community.
NoSQL was introduced to the masses sometime around the early 2000s. Though NoSQL is witnessing rapid growth, it still has a long way to catch up with its foremost rival. Support and community expansion is still limited for NoSQL.
Hierarchical Data Storage
A hierarchical data model is one which necessitates the data to be organized in a tree-like structure. The data is stored in the form of records, which are connected with one another via links. What fields a record will contain is determined by the type of the record.
It is mandatory for every child record to have only one parent in a hierarchical database model. However, a parent record can have more than one child records. The whole tree needs to be traversed, starting from the root node, for retrieving data from a hierarchical database.
Though it is possible to store hierarchical data via SQL databases, it isn’t generally desirable to do so. NoSQL databases, on the other hand, make up for an excellent option for storing data in a hierarchical database model.
Language
A major point of distinction between NoSQL and SQL databases is language. SQL databases rely on Structured Query Language for defining as well as manipulating data. On one hand, it makes SQL-based databases highly versatile, but on the other hand, it makes the same restrictive.
Before the user can even begin working with a relational database, it is necessary to use predefined schemas for determining the structure of the data. The user data must follow the same structure. Hence, it involves a well-planned approach and careful execution.
A NoSQL database offers a dynamic schema for unstructured data. It is possible to store the data in a wide variety of ways, including column-oriented, document-oriented, graph-based, and as a key-value pair.
Unlike relational databases, the great flexibility offered by non-relational databases enables creating documents even without undergoing careful planning and defining the structure. The user can add fields over time and vary the syntax for different databases.
As each document in a non-relational database can have its very own unique structure, the user (or organization) gets to enjoy a great degree of freedom.
Scalability
NoSQL and SQL can be further distinguished by means of their scalability. A typical SQL database is vertically scalable. It simply means that by increasing components such as CPU, RAM, and SSD, it is possible to increase the load on a single server.
Comparatively, any typical NoSQL database is horizontally scalable. It means that such a database can handle a boost in traffic by merely adding extra servers to the database.
Unlike SQL databases, NoSQL databases are capable of increasing in size and functionality. This makes them an ideal selection for large and complex data sets as well as those that are continuously evolving.
Structure
There are multiple structural forms that a NoSQL database can take. These are namely graph databases, column-based, document-based, and key-value pairs. In contrast to NoSQL databases, SQL databases are strictly table-based.
By virtue of their table-based nature, SQL databases are ideal for applications demanding multi-row transactions. Example of such applications includes accounting systems and legacy systems, originally developed for a relational structure.
Normalization
In order to prevent the duplication of data in databases, normalization is used. The technique ensures that no same data is stored twice. Since the advent of databases, the repetition of data has been an important issue. Hence, normalization is a very strict constraint in the SQL scenario.
Committing a join operation in order to bring together some record that is stored in a number of tables into a logical unit obviously requires time and resources. Moreover, the normalization technique necessitates additional overhead for creating, maintaining, and updating index files.
Contrary to SQL, NoSQL databases don’t necessitate for normalization. The argument made by those in favor of avoiding normalization is that the elimination technique for redundant data in databases emerged due to the expensive storage space and memory back in the 1970s.
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However, prices for memory and storage space have dropped considerably in the 21st century and continue to drop over time. Therefore, NoSQL stresses that some level of data redundancy doesn’t matter that much as memory, as well as disk space, is inexpensive now.
Supporters of NoSQL also state that leaving data redundancy undealt can even offer, though only in some cases, faster data retrieval in addition to making coding easier.
Properties Followed
All SQL databases follow ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability) properties. Each of them is briefly explained as follows:
- Atomicity - Guarantees that each transaction is treated as a single, non-divisible unit. This simply means that either a transaction completely succeeds or completely fails. Hence, there is no in-between state.
- Consistency - Ensures that any transaction takes the database from one valid state to another. In simple terms, any data added to the database needs to abide by all defined rules.
- Isolation - This property assures that simultaneous execution of transactions results into putting the database in the same state as it would be in when the transactions were to be executed one by one.
- Durability - Once a transaction has been committed, it will continue to remain in that way even when a system failure is encountered. This is ensured by the durability property.
Unlike SQL databases, the NoSQL databases follow the CAP Theorem, where CAP stands for Consistency, Availability, and Partition tolerance. While Consistency is the same as that described before, the other two properties are explained briefly as follows:
- Availability - Guarantees that each request gets some response, no matter whether the result is a failure or a success.
- Partition Tolerance - Ensures that the system continues operating even when a number of messages are delayed or dropped by the network between the nodes.
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NoSQL or SQL – Which One to Pick and When?
In order to make the right selection between NoSQL and SQL, it is crucial to understand what the business is expecting the database management system to accomplish for them. Nonetheless, following are some desirable scenarios for both NoSQL and SQL implementations.
SQL is the go-to choice when:
- A predefined structure and set schemas are available
- All data in the dataset needs to be strictly consistent
- Analyzing behavioral-related and customized sessions
- Developing custom dashboards
- Executing join operations and complex queries
- Multi-row transactions need to be made
NoSQL is the go-to choice when:
- ACID properties aren’t required
- Implementing constraints and validations logic isn’t mandatory
- Large, variable datasets need to be analyzed
- Logging data from distributed sources
- More flexible schema is required
- Storing temporary data
- There is no distinct schema definition
NoSQL vs SQL: Head-to-Head Comparison
|
Parameters |
NoSQL |
SQL |
|
Type |
Non-relational or distributed databases |
Relational databases |
|
Type of data |
Structured and unstructured |
Structured |
|
Structure |
Key-value pair Document-based Graph databases Wide-column stores |
Tables, i.e., ros and columns |
|
Schemas |
Flexible |
Rigid |
|
Scalability |
Horizontal |
Vertical |
|
Property Followed |
CAP theorem |
ACID |
|
Joins |
Not required |
Required |
|
Data to Object Mapping |
Most NoSQL databases do not require ORM |
Require ORM |
|
Hierarchical Data Storage |
Best suited |
Not ideal |
|
Example |
MongoDB, GraphQL, HBase, Neo4j, Cassandra, etc. |
MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, MS-SQL Server, etc. |
Summary
Irrespective of the primary intent of an organization, opting for the right database management system is very important. NoSQL databases are growing rapidly and proving to be an innovative change in the IT industry. Hence, they have become vital in the present database scenario.
On the other end, we have SQL databases that have proved their worth for over 40 years now. Moreover, they entail well-defined standards that have established for much longer. Backed by a huge community, the opportunity for collaboration is immense for SQL databases.
Both SQL and NoSQL databases have their own distinct advantages over one another. Hence, with proper research of requirements and expected solutions, it is possible to make the right DBMS choice.
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