Document, Wide-Column, Graph & Key-Value DBs
Stores data in JSON/BSON structures allowing rich nested attributes in a single record.
Organizes data in dynamic column families optimized for high write performance.
Stores nodes and relationships as edges for querying interconnected networks.
KeyValue pair mappings for sub-millisecond lookups and caching layers.
| Feature | Relational (SQL) | Non-Relational (NoSQL) |
|---|---|---|
| Data Structure | Rigid, well-structured tabular schema | Flexible, dynamic schema-less formats |
| Consistency | Strong consistency & strict ACID guarantees | Eventual consistency (BASE) models |
| Latency | Optimized for joins; higher write overhead | Super-low latency for fast write throughput |
| Scaling | Primary scaling via Vertical (Scale Up) | Native Horizontal scaling (Scale Out) |