5/3/23, 12:47 PM (1) Understanding Database Types - by Alex Xu

Understanding Database Types

ALEX XU
APR 19, 2023 ∙ PAID

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The success of a software application often hinges on the choice of the right databases.
As developers, we're faced with a vast array of database options. It is crucial for us to
understand the differences between these options and how to select the ones that best
align with our project's requirements. A complex application usually uses several
different databases, each catering to a specific aspect of the application’s needs.

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In this comprehensive three-part series, we’ll explore the art of database selection. We’ll
arm ourselves with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions when faced
with the challenge of choosing databases for various components of our application. We
will dive into the process of database selection, examining the various types of
databases, discussing factors that influence database performance and cost, and guiding
ourselves toward the best choices for our application while balancing essential
tradeoffs. 

Throughout the series, we’ll outline the key steps in the database selection process and
review case studies that showcase successful database selection in practice. By the end
of this series, we aim to empower ourselves with the knowledge and confidence needed
to master the art of selecting the right combination of databases for our complex
applications.

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SQL vs. NoSQL. Source

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Understanding Database Types

To make the best decision for our projects, it is essential to understand the various types
of databases available in the market. In this section, we explore the key characteristics
of different database types, including popular options for each, and compare their use
cases.

Relational Databases
Relational databases are based on the relational model, which organizes data into tables
with rows and columns. These databases have been the standard choice for many

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applications due to their robust consistency, support for complex queries, and adherence
to ACID properties (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability). Key features and
benefits of relational databases include:

Structured data organization: Data in relational databases is stored in tables with a

predefined schema, enforcing a consistent structure throughout the database. This
organization makes it easier to manage and maintain data, especially when dealing
with large amounts of structured data.

Relationships and referential integrity: The relationships between tables in a

relational database are defined by primary and foreign keys, ensuring referential
integrity. This feature allows for efficient querying of related data and supports
complex data relationships.

SQL support: Relational databases use Structured Query Language (SQL) for
querying, manipulating, and managing data. SQL is a powerful and widely adopted
language that enables developers to perform complex queries and data
manipulations.

Transactions and ACID properties: Relational databases support transactions,

which are sets of related operations that either succeed or fail as a whole. This
feature ensures the ACID properties – Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and
Durability – are maintained, guaranteeing data consistency and integrity.

Indexing and optimization: Relational databases offer various indexing techniques

and query optimization strategies, which help improve query performance and
reduce resource consumption.

Relational databases also have some drawbacks:

Limited scalability: Scaling relational databases horizontally (adding more nodes)

can be challenging, especially when compared to some NoSQL databases that are
designed for distributed environments.

Rigidity: The predefined schema in relational databases can make it difficult to

adapt to changing requirements, as altering the schema may require significant
modifications to existing data and applications.

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Performance issues with large datasets: As the volume of data grows, relational
databases may experience performance issues, particularly when dealing with
complex queries and large-scale data manipulations.

Inefficient for unstructured or semi-structured data: Relational databases are

designed for structured data, which may not be suitable for managing unstructured
or semi-structured data, such as social media data or sensor data.

Popular relational databases include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, and
Oracle. Each of these options has its unique features, strengths, and weaknesses,
making them suitable for different use cases and requirements. When considering a
relational database, it is essential to evaluate the specific needs of the application in
terms of data consistency, support for complex queries, and scalability, among other
factors.

NoSQL
NoSQL databases were developed as a response to the limitations of relational
databases, particularly in terms of scalability, flexibility, and performance under certain
conditions. Unlike relational databases, NoSQL databases do not strictly follow the
relational model or traditional table-based storage. They can store data in various
formats, which makes them suitable for a diverse range of use cases. NoSQL databases
can be broadly categorized into four subtypes, each with its unique characteristics:

Document-based databases store data in semi-structured documents, such as JSON

or BSON. This format provides greater flexibility in data modeling. It allows for
more dynamic schemas that can evolve as the application's requirements change.
Document-based databases are well-suited for applications that deal with

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hierarchical or nested data structures, such as content management systems, e-

commerce platforms, and analytics applications. Some popular document-based
databases include MongoDB and Couchbase.

Column-based databases, also known as wide-column stores or column-family

stores, organize data in columns rather than rows. This structure optimizes
column-based queries, providing improved compression and better read
performance. Column-based databases are designed for applications that need to
store and query large amounts of data across many nodes, making them a popular
choice for big data and analytics applications, as well as applications with high
write and read workloads. Some well-known column-based databases are Apache
Cassandra and HBase.

Key-value stores provide a simple and efficient way to store data as key-value pairs.
These databases are ideal for use cases that require high-speed reads and writes, as
well as horizontal scalability. Key-value stores can serve as caching layers, session
stores, or configuration storage, among other uses. They are often used in
applications where performance and low-latency access to data are critical, such as
gaming platforms, real-time analytics systems, and recommendation engines.
Examples of popular key-value stores include Redis and Amazon DynamoDB.

Graph databases focus on storing data as nodes and edges in a graph. It enables
efficient processing of complex relationships, traversals, and graph-based
algorithms. This type of database is particularly useful for applications that involve
intricate relationships between entities, such as social networks, fraud detection
systems, and recommendation engines. Graph databases provide powerful querying
capabilities for traversing and analyzing interconnected data, making them an
attractive choice for these use cases. Neo4j and Amazon Neptune are examples of
graph databases.

It's important to note that NoSQL databases have their own set of weaknesses:

Lack of standardization: Unlike relational databases, which follow standardized

SQL query language, NoSQL databases often use their own query languages or
APIs. This can lead to increased learning curves and difficulties when migrating
between different NoSQL databases or integrating them with other systems.

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Weaker consistency: Many NoSQL databases employ eventual consistency models

to achieve higher performance and availability. While this may be suitable for some
applications, it can cause issues in cases where strict data consistency is required.

Limited support for complex queries and transactions: Some NoSQL databases,
such as key-value stores and column-based databases, are not designed for complex
queries or multi-record transactions. This can make it challenging to implement
certain business logic or reporting requirements directly within the database.

Each NoSQL subtype has its strengths and weaknesses, making them suitable for
different applications depending on the specific requirements. When considering a
NoSQL database, it is important to evaluate the specific needs of the application in
terms of scalability, data modeling, query patterns, and performance to determine the
best fit.

NewSQL
NewSQL databases are a modern approach to combining the strengths of both
relational and NoSQL databases. They maintain the relational model, ACID properties,
and SQL support, while offering improved scalability, distributed architecture, and
performance enhancements commonly associated with NoSQL databases. NewSQL
databases are designed to address the challenges of modern applications, such as
handling large-scale, distributed, and highly concurrent workloads, without sacrificing
data consistency and integrity.

Distributed architecture: NewSQL databases are distributed. They leverage data

partitioning and replication across multiple nodes or even data centers. This
architecture allows for better fault tolerance, high availability, and global scale.

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Scalability: NewSQL databases can scale horizontally. They accommodate

increased workloads by adding more nodes to the system. This feature makes them
suitable for applications that demand strong consistency and the ability to handle a
high volume of transactions or users.

Concurrency control: Advanced concurrency control mechanisms, such as multi-

version concurrency control (MVCC) or optimistic concurrency control, are used by
NewSQL databases. These mechanisms allow efficient handling of a large number
of simultaneous transactions. This is crucial for modern applications with high
concurrency requirements.

SQL support and compatibility: Retaining the familiar SQL language for querying
and manipulating data, NewSQL databases simplify the learning curve for
developers. They often provide compatibility with existing relational databases and
tools, easing the migration process.

It’s important to consider NewSQL’s drawbacks:

Complexity: The distributed architecture and advanced features of NewSQL

databases can introduce additional complexity in terms of configuration,
maintenance, and troubleshooting compared to traditional relational databases.

Vendor lock-in: Some NewSQL databases are offered as managed services by

specific vendors, which may lead to vendor lock-in and limit the flexibility to
switch providers.

Lack of maturity: As a relatively new technology, NewSQL databases may lack the
maturity and extensive ecosystem of traditional relational databases, which could
result in limited support, documentation, and community resources.

Popular NewSQL databases include CockroachDB, Google Spanner, and TiDB. Each
option offers unique features and capabilities, making them suitable for different use
cases and requirements. When considering a NewSQL database, it is essential to
evaluate the specific needs of the application in terms of scalability, data consistency,
performance, and developer familiarity to determine the best fit.

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Time-series
Time-series databases specialize in handling time-stamped data, which is characterized
by its sequential nature and time-based ordering. Time-series data is common in various
domains, such as financial markets, IoT, and monitoring systems. These databases are
designed to optimize the storage, retrieval, and analysis of time-stamped data. They
offer features that cater specifically to the unique challenges presented by time-series
data.

High write and query performance: Time-series databases are optimized for
handling high-velocity data streams, which require efficient write performance.

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They also provide fast query performance, allowing for real-time or near-real-time
analysis of time-series data.

Data compression: Due to the large volume of data generated by time-series

workloads, time-series databases use various data compression techniques to
reduce storage requirements and improve query performance.

Time-based data retention policies: Time-series databases enable easy management

of data retention policies based on time. This feature allows for automatic data
aging, which helps to maintain storage efficiency and ensure data relevance.

Built-in time-series functions: Time-series databases typically include built-in

functions and tools to facilitate time-series data analysis, such as aggregation,
downsampling, and forecasting. These functions simplify the process of working
with time-series data and can help developers to build more efficient applications.

Scalability: Time-series databases are designed to scale horizontally, allowing them

to handle large volumes of data and high ingestion rates. This feature is essential
for applications that need to store and analyze vast amounts of time-series data,
such as IoT applications or monitoring systems.

Popular time-series databases include InfluxDB and TimescaleDB. Each of these

options offers unique features and capabilities tailored to time-series data management
and analysis, making them suitable for different use cases and requirements. When
considering a time-series database, it is essential to evaluate the specific needs of the
application in terms of data ingestion rate, query performance, data retention, and
scalability.

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To compare database types and their use cases, we must consider various factors, such
as the type of data they handle, their scalability, performance, consistency, and
complexity. For example, relational databases are generally better for applications
requiring strict data consistency and complex queries, while NoSQL databases are more
suitable for projects dealing with large volumes of unstructured data or requiring high
scalability.

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In the next section, we will dive deeper into the factors we need to consider when
selecting a database, including scalability, performance, data consistency, data model,
security, cost, and community support. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses
of each database type and aligning them with our project requirements, we can make an
informed decision that will help ensure the success of our software development efforts.

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7 Kommentare

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Earl Potters Apr 25

You forgot to add Vector DBs, a new class of Databases
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Dima Apr 19
Beautiful taxonomy! Thank you!

While reading this newsletter and the books you published previously, I sought use cases or
case studies for graph DBs beyond social networks and time-series DBs beyond monitoring
and alerting. Do you have plans to go deeper into use cases of less common DB types?
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