You are on your way to the leading position in your niche. You have developed a brilliant idea out of a graphitic thought. Now, it’s all about turning it into the real business product. This is a stage where you spend a lot of time analyzing tools and technologies that can make it happen. And one of the most challenging aspect to consider is a database.
As you have googled this question, you may have often seen different words like SQL or No-SQL and similar. However, no one has explained clearly what database would be the best for your software solution.
Fortunately, you have come to the right place. We will guide you through the database specifics, increase your awareness of relational vs non-relational database, and assist you in making a critical choice for your upcoming product.
Why Your App Needs a Database
“But do I actually need a database for my app?”, you may ask. Oh no, you don’t. Unless you want it to beat the competitors and bring real value.
There is a possibility you don’t need it at all in case if you launch a static website with the level of functionality that will make your one and only potential user cry. If static content and terrible interaction are the things you want to see on your website, then you may get along without this article.
But if you plan to produce a high-quality, lovely looking app with innovative features and dynamic content you must face with a database choice. You will need a database if you plan to:
Collect your user’s data
If you require registration on your website, you collect users profiles; personal data like email, name, gender etc. It has to be stored in a highly protected digital space where data leakage is impossible. Keep in mind that you also have to implement security testing to keep this data safe and sound.
Provide eCommerce development services
You have to store the information about every offer, every product or service you work with in a database. As a user clicks on an item, an app sends a query to a database to provide the necessary details.
Build a social media app
To store profiles and emails, cats photos and audio files you need a database. Otherwise, your app will be just a meaningless waste of time and resources. And when you see the purpose clearly, it is time to proceed with the SQL vs No-SQL database battle.
Introducing relational databases
We can talk about database classification for hours. But now, it is time to focus your attention on the most important facts only. And here is one of them: you need to employ either SQL-like or NoSQL database for your future product.
In the case with a relational (SQL) database, a special role belongs to impeccable architecture. The goal is to organize data in a perfect way, thus, it is stored in tables, organized in rows and columns. This organization may be rather hard as at the beginning of the project, you may lack some information concerning types of data to be stored in the future. However, millions of software engineers worldwide give their preference to Relational, or SQL, databases.
Top 3 relational database examples
According to the statistics, SQL-like databases occupy the leading positions in the IT market:
Oracle
Oracle Corporation is one of the IT leaders with almost $40 billion of revenue in 2018. Their cloud or hybrid-cloud database is the front-runner in the list of the most popular database.
MySQL
This is the irreplaceable component of numerous development stacks. This is the universal solution for both small companies and global giants like Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.
Microsoft SQL Service
This is a commercial data storage and management system that meets the needs of both small single-machine projects and global solutions with thousands of users. Thanks to a variety of editions, you can easily find exactly what you need.
Basic facts you need to know about non-relational database
When it goes about storing data in files instead of tables, NoSQL databases steal the show. Every single data entry turns into a JSON record. These databases work great with unstructured data. And as there is no need to deal with architecture, it is easier and cheaper to employ this type of databases.
3 the most popular NoSQL databases
Here are the tools you need to take a look at when selecting non-relational DB:
MongoDB
This is an open source leader of NoSQL DB. Demonstrating great capabilities in huge data volume processing, this is a choice of such well-known companies as eBay or The New York Times.
DB2
Released more than 30 years ago, this IBM product has won engineers’ hearts. Its performance and data replication features are key reasons to opt for this database.
Cassandra
With this database, you can reach the highest level of scalability. It is open source, too, and provides extra opportunities for data analysis.
If your interest in non-relational DBs raises, take a look at Amazon Web Services products and come closer to the decision.
Relational vs non-relational database: the decision making
Let’s take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of both types.
Pros, cons, and reasons to choose SQL-like databases
Take a look at the table highlighting top things you should keep in mind about this type of tools:
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Prominent data architecture | Lack of scalability |
| High level of integrity thanks to myriads of joints between the components | Low speed due to the number of joints |
| Huge community and outstanding ecosystem | Relatively high costs |
Considering the mentioned relational databases advantages, opt for SQL database, if you plan to work with constant, perfectly organized data and you are ready to spend more on maintenance.
The good and the bad of NoSQL databases
What do we have dealing with NoSQL solution?
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Impressive scalability both horizontal and vertical | Data denormalization |
| High speed as tables do not exist | Absent relations and poor data integrity |
| Cost | More memory space required |
Pick one of the No-SQL solutions, if you do not have much time and costs on creating and maintaining your database. It is useful for projects like analytical apps or social networks.
Final thoughts
The choice may be hard but it is must be made as soon as possible. You better spend more time analyzing the available solutions than losing money and dealing with unexpected issues in future.
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