MySQL vs NoSQL

Difference Between MySQL vs NoSQL

MySQL is the most popular open source relational database management system. Its development project has made its source code available under the terms of GNU General Public License, also under a variety of proprietary agreements. Initially, MySQL was owned and sponsored by a Swedish company called MySQL AB, now owned by Oracle Corporation. For proprietary use, several paid editions are available and offer additional functionality.

A NoSQL database is a non-relational database, which provides a mechanism for storage and retrieval of data. In the NoSQL database, data is modeled in means other than the tabular relations used in relational databases. NoSQL databases are primarily used in big data and real-time web applications. These types of database gain the surge in their popularity in the early twenty-first century. A primary reason for this sudden surge can say to be triggered by companies such as Facebook, Amazon, and Google.

MySQL is one of the widely used SQL Database Management System. It can be cited as one of the best RDBMS being used for development of various web-based software applications. MySQL is relational in nature since all the data is stored in different tables and relations are established using primary keys or other keys known as foreign keys.

A data structure used by NoSQL database is vastly different from those used in a relational database. Some operations are faster in NoSQL than relational databases like MySQL. Data structures used by NoSQL databases can also be viewed as more flexible and scalable than relational databases. A primary reason for this different data structure could be driven by the simplicity of design, simpler horizontal scaling to clusters of machines and more control over availability.

MySQL is fast, easy to use a relational database which is being utilized by big and small businesses equally well. There are a plethora of reasons behind the popularity of relational database like MySQL. It is a very powerful program in its own right, by handling a large subset of the functionality of the most expensive and powerful database packages. A standard form of language being used is well-known data language called SQL for MySQL database. It can work on a multitude of operating systems and with many languages like C++, PHP, Java, C etc. One of the key advantages of MySQL is that it is customizable, since open source GPL license allows programmers to modify the MySQL software to fit their own specific environments.

Most of the NoSQL databases are driven by eventual consistency which means database changes are propagated to all nodes within milliseconds, so queries of data might not return updated data immediately, which is a problem called stale reads. A central concept of NoSQL database revolves around “document”. While every document-oriented database implementation differs on the details of the definition, but they all assume that documents encapsulate and encode data in some standard formats of encodings. Documents are addressed in the database via a unique key that represents the document. In addition to the key lookup performed by a key-value store, the database also offered API or a query language that retrieve the documents based on their contents.

Head To Head Comparison Between MySQL vs NoSQL (Infographics)

Below is the top 8 difference between MySQL vs NoSQL

Key differences between MySQL vs NoSQL

Both MySQL vs NoSQL are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Difference Between MySQL and NoSQL:

• MySQL is a relational database which is based on tabular design whereas NoSQL is non-relational in nature with its document-based design.
• MySQL has established a database, covering huge IT market whereas NoSQL databases are the latest arrival, hence still gaining popularity among big IT giants.
• MySQL database with its settled market encompasses a huge community whereas NoSQL database with the short span arrival has a comparatively short community.
• MySQL is not so easily scalable with their rigid schema restrictions whereas NoSQL can be easily scaled with their dynamic schema nature.
• The detailed database model is required before database creation in MySQL whereas no detailed modeling is required in case of NoSQL database types.
• MySQL is one of the types of relational database whereas NoSQL is more of design based database type with examples like MongoDB, Couch DB etc.
• MySQL is available with a wide array of reporting tools help application’s validity whereas NoSQL databases lack reporting tools for analysis and performance testing.
• MySQL being a relational database is less flexible with its design constraint whereas NoSQL being non-relational in nature, provides more flexible design as compared to MySQL.
• MySQL is being used with a standard query language called SQL whereas NoSQL like databases misses a standard query language.
• MySQL like a relational database can provide a performance issue for a huge amount of data, hence require optimization of queries whereas NoSQL databases like MongoDB are good at performance even with the dataset is huge in size.

MySQL vs NoSQL Comparison Table

The primary Comparison between MySQL vs NoSQL are discussed below:

Conclusion – MySQL vs NoSQL

In MySQL vs NoSQL, we have seen that NoSQL databases are becoming a major part of the database landscape today. There are being shipped with multiple advantages, like performance at a big data level, scalability, and flexibility of design etc. Hence, they can be a real game changer in the upcoming IT market. Other attributes like lower cost and open source features make NoSQL an appealing option for many companies looking to integrate big data. However, NoSQL is still a young technology without the set of standards that SQL databases like MySQL offer.

MySQL, on the other hand, is still covering a huge chunk of the market since it has a standard SQL language which provides easy access and modification of databases. Being an established database, it has a huge community with a well-defined instructions and problem areas section. Hence, general problems coming up with the MySQL database can be easily resolved with its well-versed community.

As with any major business decision, IT leaders also need to weigh their options and thus conclude the difference between MySQL and NoSQL, what are the features which are important to them in the database. Some people may argue that NoSQL is the way to future, whereas other people are concerned with its lack of standardization. At the end of the day, the choice depends on the complex business needs of organization and volume of data it consumes.

Recommended Article

This has a been a guide to the top differences between MySQL vs NoSQL. Here we also discuss the MySQL vs NoSQL key differences with infographics, and comparison table. You may also have a look at the following MySQL vs NoSQL articles to learn more –

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5. MySQL vs SQL Server: What are the Differences
6. MySQL vs MongoDB: What are the Benefits
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