SQL vs NoSQL: What's the Difference Between SQL and NoSQL

Details: Last Updated: 13 February 2021

This tutorial of the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases will discuss key SQL and NoSQL differences. But before discussing NoSQL and SQL difference, let us first look at them individually. Let’s start with SQL:

What is SQL?

Structured Query language (SQL) pronounced as "S-Q-L" or sometimes as "See-Quel" is the standard language for dealing with Relational Databases. A relational database defines relationships in the form of tables.

SQL programming can be effectively used to insert, search, update, delete database records.

That doesn't mean SQL cannot do things beyond that. It can do a lot of things including, but not limited to, optimizing and maintenance of databases.

Relational databases like MySQL Database, Oracle, Ms SQL Server, Sybase, etc. use SQL.

NoSQL database stands for "Not Only SQL" or "Not SQL." Though a better term would NoREL NoSQL caught on. Carl Strozz introduced the NoSQL concept in 1998.

Traditional RDBMS uses SQL syntax to store and retrieve data for further insights. Instead, a NoSQL database system encompasses a wide range of database technologies that can store structured, semi-structured, unstructured and polymorphic data.

Next, we will discuss the key diff between SQL and NoSQL.

KEY DIFFERENCE

SQL pronounced as "S-Q-L" or as "See-Quel" is primarily called RDBMS or Relational Databases whereas NoSQL is a Non-relational or Distributed Database.
Comparing SQL vs NoSQL database, SQL databases are table based databases whereas NoSQL databases can be document based, key-value pairs, graph databases.
SQL databases are vertically scalable while NoSQL databases are horizontally scalable.
SQL databases have a predefined schema whereas NoSQL databases use dynamic schema for unstructured data.
Comparing NoSQL vs SQL performance, SQL requires specialized DB hardware for better performance while NoSQL uses commodity hardware.

When use SQL?

The below image shows Stackoverflow questions for SQL vs NoSQL databases:

NoSQL DB (Mongo) Vs RDBMS DB (MySQL) Stackoverflow Questions

SQL is the easiest language used to communicate with the RDBMS
Analyzing behavioral related and customized sessions
Building custom dashboards
It allows you to store and gets data from the database quickly
Preferred when you want to use joins and execute complex queries

When use NoSQL?

The below image shows the Google trends for NoSQL vs SQL:

NoSQL DB (mongo) Vs RDBMS DB (mysql) Google Trend

When ACID support is not needed
When Traditional RDBMS model is not enough
Data which need a flexible schema
Constraints and validations logic not required to be implemented in database
Logging data from distributed sources
It should be used to store temporary data like shopping carts, wish list and session data

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