Relational Vs. Non-relational Databases: Key Differences

Data is the new oil.

Businesses are competing against each other worldwide only to leverage the abundant source of raw data to its fullest potential. However, managing and utilizing such high volumes of data is a challenging task. This is where databases come into the picture. The most effective method for permanently storing and retrieving operational and analytical data is through databases. Companies need to determine a database that can store all kinds of data, offer fast access to required data, and provide real-time insights for strategic business decisions based on project requirements. But how do you know which is the right database for your business? This blog will help you understand the key differences between the two major types of databases: relational and non-relational. However, before moving on to the differences, let us quickly understand what these databases mean.

What are Relational and Non-relational Databases?

A database that holds data in tables is referred to as a relational database or relational database management system (RDMS). Each table contains data related to a unique topic, and the tables are related by common fields. Small businesses and independent users should consider this type of database because it is simple to use and understand.

The term "non-relational database" (also known as "NoSQL" or "Not Only SQL") refers to a type of database that uses a hierarchical structure instead of tables to store data. Large businesses and organizations that need to handle complex data use non-relational databases.

Relational vs. Non-relational Databases

Relational Databases	Non-Relational Databases
A relational database (relational database management system or RDBMS) uses tables to store data. A table consists of rows and columns, and in a relational database, rows are referred to as records, and columns are referred to as fields.	A non-relational database, also known as NoSQL (Not Only SQL), is a database that does not use the relational databases' concept of tables, fields, and columns for structured data. NoSQL databases deal with semi-structured or unstructured data in a different manner. It consists of files within different folders rather than tables.
A relational database will be the best option if you are dealing with complex data that needs to be related to other data or if relationships between entities are crucial.	A non-relational database will be the best option if you are dealing with simple data that does not need to be related to other data or if you are continuously acquiring real-time business data that must also be quickly analyzed to generate business insights.
Oracle is mainly used by the Netflix data center to store data. It employs MySQL in certain areas of the movie recommendation infrastructure.	PayPal, which processes big data in real-time using a variety of methods, is one of the major NoSQL database use cases. It also collects significant volumes of raw clickstream data using various algorithms and NoSQL databases.
Examples of relational databases include Oracle Database, SQL Server, and MySQL.	Examples of non-relational databases include MongoDB, Cassandra, DocumentDB, etc.

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