9 Difference between SQL and NoSQL | Example, Use, Advantages

Umakant Biswal
Updated: May 24, 2021

Hi readers

Here is an article to give a comparison over the two most popular database types (SQL VS NoSQL).

First, let me give some introduction about SQL and NoSQL. Then, I will proceed with the comparison.

Table of Contents

What is SQL?

SQL stands for the structured query language. SQL is the core of relational databases (commonly called RDBMS), and use to access and manage databases through different query languages.

It generally uses tuples, rows, and columns to store the data and runs some specific queries to fetch them.

Let’s see the example to read the data from database.

SELECT EmpID, EmpName FROM Employee;

Here , SELECT and FROM are SQL keywords, and EmpID is the parameters.

Basically, SQL SELECCT command is used to retrieve the data from database.

What is NOSQL?

NoSQL is known as Not only SQL database. It provides a mechanism for the storage and fetching of data. NoSQL doesnot have any specific schema, tables (that is why unstructured). It can handle a huge amount of data.

Difference between SQL and NoSQL Database

Now, let’s proceed towards comparison between them with different parameters.

1. Types of Database

SQL is a structured query language that consists of various tables with columns and rows .and each table has a relationship with another table. They are usually connected with different types of database keys.
NoSQL is a database that tries to avoid any kind of relation. There are no tables stored in a database. It is all unstructured.

2. SCHEMA

SQL has a predefined schema that stores various data in a structured way.
NoSQL has a dynamic/unstructured schema.

3. DATABASE CATAGORY

SQL has tables that contain tuples and columns to store the data in the database.
NoSQL has Keyvalue, graph, wide column to deal with the data. Key-value stores different attributes.

4. COMPLEX QUERIES

SQL is a good fit for complex queries
NoSQL is not a good fit for complex queries because it does not have a standard document. It’s not written in a specific language.

5. HIERARCHICAL DATA STORAGE

SQL is not a good fit for hierarchical data storage.
NoSQL is the best fit for this due to its Key-value pair.

6. SCALABILITY

SQL is vertically scalable. Vertically scalable means, suppose take an example of the 2-floor building if you add two more floors above it, it is vertically scalable.
NoSQL is horizontally scalable, which means if you construct a new building inside of an existing one, it is horizontally scalable. it’s used to add more servers to the database.

7. ONLINE PROCESSING

SQL is the best fit for heavy transactions. It’s the main difference in which you can compare SQL with NoSQL. It is mainly use for OLTP (Online Transaction Processing).
NoSQL is not stable in case of heavy load transactions. But that does not mean it will fail. Its main use for OLAP (Online Analytical Processing).

8. BASE PROPERTIES

SQL satisfies ACID properties. ACID stands for atomicity, consistency, isolation, durability. This thing will guarantee transactions to be committed with less failure rate.
NoSQL works with the CAP theorem, in which two out of three guarantees will be given by the system.
CAP refers to recently written data, more number of users, and continuous operation of the system.

9. EXTERNAL SUPPORT

SQL has excellent external and community support due to its 40 years of existence.
NoSQL relies only on community support due to the fewer experts available.

SQL Database Examples

Some of the popular and widely used SQL databases are MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQLite, etc…

If you are developing a website using the Django web framework, the default database in SQLite.

Out of these, MySQL is more popular and widely used.

NoSQL Database Examples

Some of the popular NoSQL databases are Cassandra, MongoDB, etc. Out of all these, NoSQL MongoDB is widely used in software development.

Now, we understood all about SQL and NoSQL. Let’s look at some of the FAQ .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Should I use SQL or NOSQL?

It completely depends upon you. If you have large data to handle then NOSQL works best. And if you have small data with good success rate then go with SQL.

What is the difference between MySQL and MongoDB?

MySQL is SQL database management system where as MongoDB is NoSQL database management system. Both of these databases are popular and widely used. Read more detail about MongoDB vs MySQL.

Is NoSQL easier than SQL?

According to my understanding, I find SQL to be easier than NoSQL, a simple English language query to handle.

Is SQL a coding?

No, it is not. But you need to learn a few syntax commands for writing query language. It is not considered a general-purpose programming language.

What are disadvantage of NoSQL?

NoSQL cannot handle heavy transactions, and SQL can handle them in a better way. NoSQL also doesnot have many industry experts as compared to SQL.

Is SQL a Python?

No, it is not Python. Python is a completely different programming language. But, you can connect it to python language through MySQL connector.

Where can I practice SQL?

You can download and install ORACLE software and any other app directly and run queries on them.

I hope, everyone understood the comparison between SQL and NoSQL clearly.

THANKS FOR READING!

This is all about the difference between SQL and NoSQL. If you have any questions or doubts to ask me, write me in the comment section below. I will respond to your query as early as possible.

Umakant Biswal

This is Umakant, a B.tech(CSE) student, quora writer, and a good problem solver. I like to write about technical topics and enjoy solving problems efficiently. I'm a Python lover and always curious to learn new facts.