SQL vs NoSQL: What’s the Difference Between SQL and NoSQL

This tutorial of the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases will discuss key SQL and NoSQL differences. But before discussing NoSQL and SQL difference, let us first look at them individually. Let’s start with SQL:

What is SQL?

Structured Query language (SQL) pronounced as “S-Q-L” or sometimes as “See-Quel” is the standard language for dealing with Relational Databases. A relational database defines relationships in the form of tables.

SQL programming can be effectively used to insert, search, update, delete database records.

That doesn’t mean SQL cannot do things beyond that. It can do a lot of things including, but not limited to, optimizing and maintenance of databases.

Relational databases like MySQL Database, Oracle, Ms SQL Server, Sybase, etc. use SQL.

What is NoSQL?

NoSQL is a non-relational DMS, that does not require a fixed schema, avoids joins, and is easy to scale. NoSQL database is used for distributed data stores with humongous data storage needs. NoSQL is used for Big data and real-time web apps. For example companies like Twitter, Facebook, Google that collect terabytes of user data every single day.

NoSQL database stands for “Not Only SQL” or “Not SQL.” Though a better term would NoREL NoSQL caught on. Carl Strozz introduced the NoSQL concept in 1998.

Traditional RDBMS uses SQL syntax to store and retrieve data for further insights. Instead, a NoSQL database system encompasses a wide range of database technologies that can store structured, semi-structured, unstructured and polymorphic data.

Next, we will discuss the key diff between SQL and NoSQL.

Difference between SQL and NoSQL

Below is the main difference between NoSQL and SQL:

Parameter	SQL	NOSQL
Definition	SQL databases are primarily called RDBMS or Relational Databases	NoSQL databases are primarily called as Non-relational or distributed database
Design for	Traditional RDBMS uses SQL syntax and queries to analyze and get the data for further insights. They are used for OLAP systems.	NoSQL database system consists of various kind of database technologies. These databases were developed in response to the demands presented for the development of the modern application.
Query Language	Structured query language (SQL)	No declarative query language
Type	SQL databases are table based databases	NoSQL databases can be document based, key-value pairs, graph databases
Schema	SQL databases have a predefined schema	NoSQL databases use dynamic schema for unstructured data.
Ability to scale	SQL databases are vertically scalable	NoSQL databases are horizontally scalable
Examples	Oracle, Postgres, and MS-SQL.	MongoDB, Redis, Neo4j, Cassandra, Hbase.
Best suited for	An ideal choice for the complex query intensive environment.	It is not good fit complex queries.
Hierarchical data storage	SQL databases are not suitable for hierarchical data storage.	More suitable for the hierarchical data store as it supports key-value pair method.
Variations	One type with minor variations.	Many different types which include key-value stores, document databases, and graph databases.
Development Year	It was developed in the 1970s to deal with issues with flat file storage	Developed in the late 2000s to overcome issues and limitations of SQL databases.
Open-source	A mix of open-source like Postgres & MySQL, and commercial like Oracle Database.	Open-source
Consistency	It should be configured for strong consistency.	It depends on DBMS as some offers strong consistency like MongoDB, whereas others offer only offers eventual consistency, like Cassandra.
Best Used for	RDBMS database is the right option for solving ACID problems.	NoSQL is a best used for solving data availability problems
Importance	It should be used when data validity is super important	Use when it’s more important to have fast data than correct data
Best option	When you need to support dynamic queries	Use when you need to scale based on changing requirements
Hardware	Specialized DB hardware (Oracle Exadata, etc.)	Commodity hardware
Network	Highly available network (Infiniband, Fabric Path, etc.)	Commodity network (Ethernet, etc.)
Storage Type	Highly Available Storage (SAN, RAID, etc.)	Commodity drives storage (standard HDDs, JBOD)
Best features	Cross-platform support, Secure and free	Easy to use, High performance, and Flexible tool.
Top Companies Using	Hootsuite, CircleCI, Gauges	Airbnb, Uber, Kickstarter
Average salary	The average salary for any professional SQL Developer is $84,328 per year in the U.S.A.	The average salary for “NoSQL developer” ranges from approximately $72,174 per year
ACID vs. BASE Model	ACID( Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability) is a standard for RDBMS	Base ( Basically Available, Soft state, Eventually Consistent) is a model of many NoSQL systems

Difference between ACID vs BASE in DBMS

When use SQL?

The below image shows Stackoverflow questions for SQL vs NoSQL databases:

• SQL is the easiest language used to communicate with the RDBMS
• Analyzing behavioral related and customized sessions
• Building custom dashboards
• It allows you to store and gets data from the database quickly
• Preferred when you want to use joins and execute complex queries

When use NoSQL?

The below image shows the Google trends for NoSQL vs SQL:

NoSQL DB (mongo) Vs RDBMS DB (mysql) Google Trend

• When ACID support is not needed
• When Traditional RDBMS model is not enough
• Data which need a flexible schema
• Constraints and validations logic not required to be implemented in database
• Logging data from distributed sources
• It should be used to store temporary data like shopping carts, wish list and session data