Non-relational databases – Describe core data concept

Non-relational databases

Non-relational databases, also known as NoSQL databases, have emerged as powerful alterna-tives to traditional relationship databases for businesses. These databases provide a flexible

14 CHAPTER 1   Describe core data concept

and scalable approach to storing and managing a vast amount of unstructured and semi-structured data. Let’s explore the key aspects and benefits of non-relational databases from a business perspective.

Non-relational databases offer a variety of data models, including document databases, key-value stores, columnar databases, and graph databases. Each data model is designed to address specific data needs and use cases, providing businesses with the flexibility to adapt to diverse data structures.

Consider a business that operates an e-commerce platform. A document database could be used to store customer profiles, where each customer’s data is represented as a document con-taining attributes such as Name, Email, Address, and Purchase History. This flexibility document structure allows for easily storing and retrieving customer information even while accommo-dating variations in data formats.

Non-relational databases provide several advantages for businesses. First, they offer hori-zontal scalability, allowing businesses to handle massive data volumes and high-velocity data streams. These databases are built to distribute data across multiple servers and therefore offer seamless scalability as data requirements grow. This scalability supports businesses in handling dynamic workloads and accommodating evolving data demands.

Second, non-relational databases excel in handling unstructured and semi-structured data. They offer schema-less designs, allowing for flexibility in data modeling and accommodating changing data structures over time. This flexibility is crucial in scenarios where data structures are not predefined or where data formats vary greatly.

Furthermore, non-relational databases are highly performant, which results in fast data retrieval and processing. They often employ distributed computing techniques and optimized data storage mechanisms to deliver real-time data access and analytics capabilities. This performance advantage contributes to efficient decision-making and empowers businesses to derive meaningful insight from their data.

Non-relational databases have gained significant traction in modern business environments and are supported by popular systems such as Azure Cosmo DB, MongoDB, and Cassandra, just to name a few. These systems provide robust features for data storage, scalability, and distributed computing.

In a nutshell, non-relational databases offer businesses the flexibility, scalability, and per-formance required to handle diverse and rapidly growing data. With their ability to handle unstructured data and adapt to changing requirements, non-relational databases empower businesses to unlock the full potential of their data assets.

Skill 1.2: Identify options for data storage       CHAPTER 1     15