Be Guided by The Remote DBA Expert to Understand The Differences in Databases

Posted by andrewthompson on October 8th, 2019

The databases as explained from the business management angle are quite different from the way database technology interprets it. From the business management perspective, database nomenclature depends on its functionality and accordingly it is named, operational, end-user, centralized, distributed, personal and commercial database. If you look at the database from the technological perspective, you will see that the classification is done according to the way data is stored in the database, and there can be SQL or relational database and non-SQL or non-relational database. The difference arises from the way the databases are built as well as the type of information stored and the manner of storing it. Phonebooks are classic examples of relational databases and any other document type data that contain all other kinds of data as well besides addresses and phone numbers are non-relational databases. Keep reading to know more about these databases.

Relational database or SQL database

Relational databases have rigid structures, and it derives the name SQL or Structured Query Language from the language used for writing the program. The structure consists of two or more tables with rows and columns. You enter data in each row, and the function of the column is to sort information according to the type of queries like names, phone numbers, and addresses. Schema is the name given to the relationship between the field types and tables. Before adding any information to the database, you must define the schema precisely to minimize data redundancy.

The programming language SQL helps in designing relational databases like Oracle, Sybase, MySQL and IBM DM2. SQL is capable of executing queries, retrieving data, editing and updating data, creating and deleting records. SQL databases integrate very well with many software stacks, which is a reason for its popularity.

 Non-relational or NoSQL databases

If your data is not organized as above and you have to deal with massive unstructured data, the restrictions of a structured database would obstruct the accommodation of data, and you would require non-relational databases that are highly flexible in accommodating all types of data. NoSQL databases resemble folders that contain a variety of files and data within it. It can store entire blog posts that contain text, photos, social likes, links, metrics and more. The schema-less non-relational databases are ideal for storing, process, analyze all kinds of data, and come under the NoSQL or Not only SQL umbrella.

These databases are document-oriented that allows storing of non-structured data in a single document that is easy to find even without the need of categorizing it like it is done for SQL databases.  App developers, in particular, enjoy easy access to NoSQL databases.

Depending on your business needs you may have to make use of both relational and non-relational databases, opine the experts at Remote DBA.com. There is no one size fits all solution in database technology. Analyze your data requirements in terms of data volume and the time of data retrieval after considering the way data you want to organize data to decide which types of the database would meet your business needs.

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andrewthompson

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andrewthompson
Joined: April 19th, 2019
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