BACKGROUND IMAGE: iSTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
Relational database management system guide: RDBMS still on top
-
Article
Business needs come first when selecting databases
While new database technologies offer sleek designs and the promise of fast performance, for many companies a relational database management system is still best for business. Read Now
-
Article
Facebook exec endorses relevancy of relational databases
Learn how Facebook uses a combination of Hadoop for exploratory analysis and relational databases for operational analysis, including data slicing and dicing. Read Now
-
Article
RDBMSs produce faster analytics with in-memory technology
Leading RDBMS makers are increasing the efficiency of analytical and operational processing by bringing in-memory traits to their flagship offerings. Read Now
-
Article
Requirements stage vital to relational database design process
During the relational database design and deployment rush, don't neglect to complete a thorough requirements gathering process, says author Michael J. Hernandez. Read Now
Editor's note
Relational databases have enjoyed a long run as the database mainstay across a wide variety of businesses, and for good reasons. They're relatively easy to create and use, and they offer reliable performance in both transaction processing and business intelligence applications, with support for transaction and data integrity. However, relational databases haven't necessarily adapted well to changes in the types and quantities of data now being generated, such as the unstructured data that is prevalent in big data applications. In addition, expanding traditional databases to accommodate rapid growth is costly.
As a result, NoSQL database technologies are challenging the monopoly of the relational database management system. There are a number of NoSQL database options, all developed to fulfill particular purposes that RDBMSs aren't designed to handle. Many organizations are finding new freedom in having so many choices when it comes to database architectures. Yet, despite their modern designs and efficiency in managing large data sets, NoSQL databases aren't the right fit for all projects -- and they aren't likely to oust relational software from the top database perch any time soon.
Depending on your business goals, traditional databases, NoSQL databases or a hybrid of the two may be best to deliver the most value. The articles and videos in this guide examine these technologies from different perspectives and explore the case for the ongoing relevance of relational databases.
1NoSQL software chips away at RDBMS dominance
While myriad NoSQL database options have emerged to help businesses address big data requirements and scalability concerns, they aren't full replacements for traditional databases. Some companies are choosing NoSQL systems to support big data applications in completely non-relational environments, but others are combining them with a relational database management system or data warehouse -- an approach that illustrates the frequent use of NoSQL to mean "not only SQL." The articles in this section examine the varied roles of NoSQL technologies and how they relate to mainstream relational databases.
-
Article
Relational database dominance dented as NoSQL databases move in
NoSQL software has bit into the relational database monopoly, but even NoSQL users typically are still attached to SQL technology as well. Read Now
-
Article
Numerous NoSQL databases in the running to replace RDBMSs
With so many choices in the NoSQL product market, prospective users have their work cut out for them when it comes to comparing and sorting the options. Read Now
-
Article
When should you turn to NoSQL instead of a relational database?
Consultant Mark Whitehorn says that unstructured data is often better managed by NoSQL software than by table-centric relational databases. Read Now
-
Article
How does NoSQL stack up to relational on database security?
As more and more companies look to use NoSQL databases to manage big data, it's useful to compare the security features of NoSQL and RDBMS technologies. Read Now
-
Article
Free up data, create value with non-relational database technologies
Read about how organizations can combine NoSQL database architectures with conventional databases to realize new business value. Read Now
2Experts talk RDBMS, NoSQL and big data
In this section, consultants and other speakers offer insight and advice on topics including the choice between relational and NoSQL databases, using Oracle databases in the big data era and building mixed data management architectures in the age of big data.
-
Video
Relational and NoSQL database options not so black and white
Consultant William McKnight explains how both NoSQL and relational databases have a place in most IT architectures. Watch Now
-
Video
NoSQL databases take on Oracle RDBMS for big data uses
NoSQL databases are less expensive and more scalable, but Oracle's relational databases are more secure in terms of data-loss risk, according to Oracle user John Kanagaraj. Watch Now
-
Video
No strict rules when it comes to building a big data ecosystem
William McKnight offers design and deployment tips for assembling information architectures in the big data era. Watch Now
-
Video
Support big data projects with a combination of data management platforms
Learn about key trends in managing big data and find out about adoption rates for Hadoop clusters and NoSQL databases from consultant John Myers. Watch Now
-
Video
MongoDB CEO explains basics of NoSQL database technology
Get information on how NoSQL technologies work, and advice on deploying them, from Max Schireson, CEO of vendor MongoDB. Watch Now
Machine Learning Meets Data Quality
Read an exclusive interview with Andrew Burt, chief privacy offer and legal engineer at Immuta Inc., on data governance and machine learning integration. Plus, uncover steps IT managers are taking to improve data quality in their big data environments in order to ensure analytics accuracy.
3Database terminology
These definitions help clarify the distinctions among various database systems.
-
Definition
Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service)
Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) is a fully-managed SQL database service. Amazon RDS offers an array of database engine choices to help with database management tasks such as migration, backup, recovery and patching. Read Now
-
Definition
database management system (DBMS)
If the database is a file of information, then the DBMS is the file folders, the file labels and the file cabinet. Read Now
-
Definition
NoSQL (Not Only SQL database)
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
-
Definition
Oracle
Oracle is one of the largest vendors in the enterprise IT market and the shorthand name of its flagship product, a relational database management system (RDBMS) that's formally called Oracle Database. Read Now
-
Definition
relational database
A relational database is a set of formally described tables from which data can be accessed or reassembled in many different ways without having to reorganize the database tables. Read Now
-
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
-
Definition
Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system, or RDBMS, that supports a wide variety of transaction processing, business intelligence and analytics applications in corporate IT environments Read Now
4Quiz yourself on RDBMS and NoSQL
Take this brief quiz to test your knowledge of relational databases and NoSQL technologies.