What is the difference between a relational database management system (RDBMS) and a non-relational database management system (NoSQL), and in what scenarios would you choose one over the other?

1 Answers
Answered by suresh

Difference between RDBMS and NoSQL in DBMS Category | Scenario Selection

Difference between Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) and Non-Relational Database Management System (NoSQL)

Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) and Non-Relational Database Management System (NoSQL) are two different types of databases with distinct characteristics and use cases.

Key Differences:

  • RDBMS stores data in tabular form with structured relationships between tables using SQL queries.
  • NoSQL databases store data in flexible, schema-less formats like key-value pairs, documents, wide-column stores, or graph databases.
  • RDBMS provides ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) compliance, ensuring data integrity.
  • NoSQL databases offer high scalability, availability, and performance for big data and real-time applications.

Scenario Selection:

Choosing between RDBMS and NoSQL depends on the specific requirements of your project:

  • RDBMS Usage:
  • When data structure is fixed and relationships between data entities are well-defined.
  • For transactional applications that require strong consistency and data integrity.
  • Vertical scaling is sufficient to handle the workload.
  • NoSQL Usage:
  • For big data and real-time applications where horizontal scaling and high availability are crucial.
  • When the data structure is evolving and schema flexibility is required.
  • When rapid development and deployment are prioritized over strict data consistency.
Answer for Question: What is the difference between a relational database management system (RDBMS) and a non-relational database management system (NoSQL), and in what scenarios would you choose one over the other?