NoSQL databases are non-relational databases that store and retrieve data in flexible formats, such as key-value pairs, documents, wide-column stores, or graphs. They are commonly used in Web Development when scalability and schema flexibility are priorities.
Characteristics
- Schema-less or flexible schema: No predefined structure is required.
- Horizontal scalability: Designed for distributed clusters and large-scale applications.
- Data Models: Document-oriented (e.g., MongoDB), key-value, graph, or wide-column.
- High performance: Optimized for read/write-heavy applications.
Advantages
- Rapid iteration due to schema flexibility.
- Handles large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured data.
- Scales easily across multiple servers.
- Ideal for applications like social media platforms, blogs, or real-time analytics.
Limitations
- Weaker support for complex joins and transactions compared to SQL.
- Data consistency can vary depending on database type (eventual consistency).
- Requires careful planning to avoid unstructured, inconsistent data.
Purpose
NoSQL databases are best suited for modern, distributed applications where rapid scaling and flexible data structures are critical. Example: Quillify uses MongoDB, a document-oriented NoSQL database.