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Guide to NoSQL databases: How they can help users meet big data needs
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Article
NoSQL databases disrupt relational software monopoly
NoSQL software has dented the dominance of relational databases, but it isn't likely to fully break the hold that SQL technology has on users. Read Now
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Article
NoSQL databases scale upward for cloud computing
Read about how NoSQL databases are a natural fit for running Web applications and can take off in cloud computing environments. Read Now
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Article
Mix of NoSQL databases take on RDBMSs, application by application
Prospective users need to be aware of the wide variety of NoSQL products and the specific cases in which they're suited for replacing relational databases. Read Now
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Article
NoSQL databases: What are they all about?
The buzz around NoSQL databases focuses primarily on the fact that they aren't based on SQL, but there's more to the story. Read Now
Editor's note
Relational databases built around the SQL programming language have long been the top -- and, in many cases, only -- choice of database technologies for organizations. Now, with the emergence of various NoSQL software platforms, IT managers and business executives involved in technology decisions have more options on database deployments. NoSQL databases support dynamic schema design, offering the potential for increased flexibility, scalability and customization compared to relational software. That makes them a good fit for Web applications, content management systems and other uses involving large amounts of non-uniform data requiring frequent updates and varying field formats. In particular, NoSQL technologies are designed with "big data" needs in mind.
But for prospective users, the array of NoSQL database choices may seem confusing or even overwhelming. NoSQL databases are grouped into four primary product categories with different architectural characteristics: document databases, graph databases, key-value databases and wide column stores. Many NoSQL platforms are also tailored for specific purposes, and they may or may not work well with SQL technologies, which could be a necessity in some organizations. In addition, most NoSQL systems aren't suitable replacements for relational databases in transaction processing applications, because they lack full ACID compliance for guaranteeing transactional integrity and data consistency.
As a result, IT and business professionals making database buying decisions must carefully evaluate whether the available NoSQL options fit their business needs. In this guide, you can learn more about what NoSQL software can do and how it differs from relational databases. Trend stories and user case studies document how NoSQL databases can be used to support big data, cloud computing and business analytics applications. And experienced users from companies that have already deployed NoSQL tools offer advice on how to make the technology selection and implementation process smoother.
1NoSQL user stories and deployment best practices
Various types of businesses have deployed NoSQL database technologies and shared their stories about the deployments -- including projects that involve the use of SQL and NewSQL technologies as additions or alternatives to NoSQL software. In this section, learn more about what works and what doesn't and get tips on which options are most suitable for your data processing, business intelligence and analytics needs.
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Article
MongoDB database combined with SQL to spot social media trends
SQL-enabled Data Warehouse as a Service tools are helping marketing analytics firm SumAll to analyze social media data stored in a MongoDB NoSQL database. Read Now
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Article
Data provider taps NoSQL in-memory database to speed up processing
As part of a news roundup, read about how data services provider eXelate is using a NoSQL database running in memory to help enable near-real-time marketing decisions by its clients. Read Now
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Article
Companies seek to gain competitive advantages with NoSQL databases
This article examines case studies related to NoSQL database deployments at several companies based in Europe, including travel reservation system operator Amadeus. Read Now
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Article
Top priority: Solving problems with NoSQL systems
NoSQL technology might be alluring, but the basis of any buying decision must start with the business problem that needs to be addressed. Read Now
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Article
Going from NoSQL to NewSQL: One company's experience
Learn why logistics exchange operator DropShip Commerce decided to switch from NoSQL to NewSQL software that combines SQL and NoSQL traits to run its B2B platform. Read Now
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Article
Don't get dazzled by NoSQL, other new database technologies
NoSQL platforms and other alternatives to relational databases promise fast performance. But if they don't fit an organization's business needs, they aren't a good investment. Read Now
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Article
Tips on securing NoSQL applications, getting the most from big data
Abate big data security concerns with the best-practices advice for ensuring secure NoSQL applications offered in this article. Read Now
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Article
What's best for different types of data: SQL, NoSQL or a mix?
Explore the capabilities offered by SQL and NoSQL technologies to determine how to best address different forms of data flowing into organizations. Read Now
2Expert insight on NoSQL software, relational databases and big data
A growing number of companies are using NoSQL database technology in their big data environments, but relational databases and other types of data management platforms may be required as well. Learn more about using NoSQL databases and building a big data architecture in these video interviews.
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Video
Relational and NoSQL database debate not always an either-or choice
Consultant William McKnight shares insights about NoSQL and relational databases and explains why there's room for both in IT architectures. Watch Now
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Video
User: Big data demands put NoSQL technology in play for Oracle shops
Oracle database user John Kanagaraj says there are potential advantages to using NoSQL systems to support big data applications -- but some downsides, too. Watch Now
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Video
Big data projects get support from combination of data platforms
Consultant John Myers discusses key trends in big data environments, including the use of multiple technologies and adoption rates for Hadoop clusters and NoSQL databases. Watch Now
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Video
Spotlight on NoSQL database technology with MongoDB CEO
Get advice on using NoSQL database technology to support big data initiatives from MongoDB CEO Max Schireson. Watch Now
3Terms related to NoSQL database technology
Learn or review these definitions to enhance your understanding of NoSQL and relational database technology.
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Definition
Apache HBase
Apache HBase is a column-oriented key/value data store built to run on top of the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS). Read Now
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Definition
Big data management
Big data management is the organization, administration and governance of large volumes of both structured and unstructured data. Read Now
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Definition
Big data analytics
Big data analytics is the often complex process of examining large and varied data sets -- or big data -- to uncover information including hidden patterns, unknown correlations, market trends and customer preferences that can help organizations make informed business decisions. Read Now
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Definition
Cassandra (Apache Cassandra)
Apache Cassandra is an open source distributed database system that is designed for storing and managing large amounts of data across commodity servers. Read Now
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Definition
NewSQL
NewSQL is a term coined by the analyst firm The 451 Group as shorthand to describe vendors of new, scalable, high performance SQL databases. Read Now
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Definition
NoSQL
NoSQL is an approach to database design that can accomodate a wide variety of data models, including key-value, document, columnar and graph formats. NoSQL, which stand for "not only SQL," is an alternative to traditional relational databases in which data is placed in tables and data schema is carefully designed before the database is built. Read Now
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Definition
NuoDB
NuoDB is a SQL-oriented transactional database management system designed for distributed deployment in the cloud. Read Now
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Definition
SQL (Structured Query Language)
SQL, short for Structured Query Language, is a programming language for relational databases. It lets users modify database structures and insert, update and query data. Read Now
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Definition
MongoDB
MongoDB is an open source database management system (DBMS) that uses a document-oriented database model which supports various forms of data. Read Now
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Definition
Relational database management system (RDBMS)
A relational database management system (RDBMS) is a collection of programs and capabilities that enable IT teams and others to create, update, administer and otherwise interact with a relational database. Read Now
4Assess your knowledge of NoSQL databases
Take this brief quiz to check your understanding of NoSQL technology.