c.
PostgreSQL
Relational database vs NoSQL databases
Abstract – The use of technology and its variety have been
growing enormously in recent years. Therefore, there has been
emerging technologies such as NoSQL technologies. SQL stands for
Structure Query Language (SQL) and NoSQL stands for Not Only
SQL(NoSQL). NoSQL has been very popular as an alternative to
the traditional relational database especially when dealing with
large amount of data and information. Therefore, many big
companies such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, Twitter etc. are
already making use of NoSQL databases. Even though these
companies are using NoSQL database, it doesn’t necessarily mean
every company needs to use it or shift from traditional relational
database. This is because a clear understanding of your data needs
and your project is needed before jumping into using one of the
database types. Therefore, in this paper the difference between
rational database and NoSQL databases is discussed deeply. To
understand whether you want to choose relational database or
NoSQL database for your next project, it is needed to understand
how both database systems work and their differences, and their
importances in your next web or other projects.
Index Terms – Databases, Relational databases, NoSQL
Databases.
I. INTRODUCTION
Recently the emerging technology of NoSQL have
become more popular and used than relational database.
NoSQL database means Not Only SQL, which means
database that doesn’t use the SQL language. Therefore,
NoSQL databases are databases that are not based on the
relational databases. SQL stands for Structure Query
Language and NoSQL stands for Not Only SQL. A relational
database is a type of database that stores and provides
access to data points that are related to one another.
(What is a relational database?, 2020). We can clearly see
the different approaches the two databases have when
dealing with data, from their definitions. More on their
differences and comparisons will be discussed on this
paper. The main reason for this research paper is to get an
overview of the two types of databases and which type of
database approach to use when dealing with our project
when dealing with different data. There will be an
emphasise as well to which database might better or if
they are both equally important.
Some of the most common used RDBMS are listed below;
a. MySQL
b. Microsoft SQL Server
d. SQLite
e. Oracle
Some of the most common used RDBMS are listed below;
a. MongoDB
b. Redis
c. Cassandra
d. Apache CouchDB
NoSQL databases have been or are been used in
developing new systems and projects. As well some are
also totally forgetting and leaving relational database and
emerging to the new database of NoSQL database. It
seems the businesses and users of this new NoSQL
database don’t really understand why they are switching
or emerging to NoSQL databases. This is happening
because the users think that this new NoSQL database is
an upgrade of the Relational database. But in reality is not
the case, as they two different kind of databases, with
their own characteristics, benefits and drawbacks. Some
are even going back to relational database after initially
switching to NoSQL databases, as they have noticed the
differences and the things they can’t do when they use to
use relational databases. Therefore, to make the right
choices initially or to switch from one to another, users
must consider the capabilities of both databases before
choosing one from another. Therefore, this paper will try
to explain both databases of their characteristics and
differences. This will give users much understanding of
the database they are going to choose for their data
purposes when building web applications and projects.
II. RELATIONAL DATABASES
This database was first introduced in 1960 replacing then
the existing file organization of data. After the
introduction of this type of database. its popularity
increased and it is still widely used database till now.
Many companies and organisations are still using this
approach of database in their data manipulation and
gathering.

II.I Characteristics of relational databases
Relational database generally works with relational
tables and assumptions. Therefore, these assumptions
actually make the relational database not the real
reflective of the real world. In relational or SQL
databases world we have restrictions of what we put in
a table as it is has clear structural schema. All the
records must follow the predefined schema that we
have in the beginning of the data structured process of
the record. We store data, distributed across multiple
tables which we then connect with relations. Then we
can use SQL to query these relationships for different
outputs and queries.
The following are some of the common features or
characteristics of relational databases;
• Strict schema
• Relation world
• Restriction on data duplication:
• Normalised distributed data
Data model is used to structure the data in the database
model and then links are created between the different
entities in the database. The normalised distributed data
is the core advantage and strong characteristics of
relational database. As this normalised distributed data
can be then merged with SQL queries. Duplication is
minimised as well by using the Primary key of one table
in another record as a Foreign key when creation
relationships of different entities.
III. NOSQL DATABASES
NoSQL databases are the reflection of the real world
as it doesn’t have much assumptions and restrictions
like in as the relational database. NoSQL databases are
non-relational databases, which are new technologies
emerging among organizations and businesses in today’s
world. Many companies are utilizing the benefit of this
database approach by implementing it very well and
accordingly. But there are some companies and
businesses who are just emerging or switching to this
database approach from traditional relational database,
without deep research or understanding it accordingly.
Below the different types of NoSQL type and the
characteristics of this database is discussed.
III.I Types and characteristics of NoSQL databases
NoSQL databases can store lots and lots of data in an
efficient way. Unlike relational database, in this kind of
databases we have collections, documents to create the
database for the data in hand.
The following types of NoSQL databases can used,
depending on the data model we use;
a. Key-value data model: Prepared as collection
of key-value pairs. E.g. Redis, DynamoDB, Riak
etc.
b. Column-oriented: They store data in a
column. E.g. Cassandra, Apache Hbase,MapD
etc.
c. Document store: Allows the inserting,
retrieving and manipulating of semi-
structured data. E.g. XML, JSON, BSON etc.
d. Graph data stores: Where relationships are
presented as graphs. E.g. Neo4j, Allegro
Graph, Redis Graph etc.
Some of the common features and characteristics of the
NoSQL databases are discussed below.
NoSQL has no schema or flexible schema, which allows
for flexibility and addition of data in the near future to
your database. There is also No relationships, so you put
all your collections in one place to process it later. As
there is less relation merging going on, this makes it
super and fast efficient querying. The downside or
disadvantage side of it is that it duplicates data, for
example if you have employee name changed. You must
change all the data in the different collections related to
that employee name, as there are no relationships
which makes it changeable in relational database.
 IV. COMPARISON BETWEEN RELATIONAL DATABASES
AND NOSQL DATABASES
The main purpose of my research is to compare
Relational databases vs NoSQL databases. As well to
come up if some of the characteristics have similarities
and commonality. This purpose or comparison can give
an insight to businesses or originations when dealing with
data and choosing which database to choose for that
case.
The differences and comparison are discussed below in a
form of advantage and disadvantage and relating both
database approaches accordingly.
Relational database/ SQL:
o The structural schema can really be an advantage
or disadvantage. If you want to be flexible it could
be disadvantage but an advantage if you want to
have predictable structure or layout, which can
minimise errors and data structure.
o The relations can be an advantage when updating
data, as you only update once at it is managed and
stored in one place unlike in NoSQL. But can be
disadvantage when you do complex query, the
performance can be slow as compared to NoSQL.
This is because you have to merge the
relationships manually when doing query unlike in
NoSQL.
o Data is distributed across multiple tables. This can
be advantage or disadvantage as above as in
regarding updating.
o At some point scaling can be hard. This is one of
the strong disadvantages, because vertical scaling
has limitation and horizontal scaling is impossible
in relational database or SQL. Unlike in NoSQL
databases can be split horizontally as there is no
relationship with the data.
o There are limitations when dealing with lots or
masses of read and write queries per second
request.
NoSQL:
o NoSQL is Schema-less or has flexible schema. This
can be advantageous and disadvantageous. The
more flexible can be an advantage or can be
disadvantage as you can’t rely on the records you
have as there is no schema to give you a
guideline.
o There is no or few relations. This is great for
reading and query a lot. But can be disadvantage
in a way when you have a lot of write request that
affect multiple collections, as you have to update
it simultaneously causing data duplications.
o In NoSQL data is typically merged, which serves
certain purposes than having lot of queries.
o Both horizontal and vertical scaling is possible
unlike in relational database.
o Great performance for mass read and write
requests. Except when you have to update a lot
which may slow the performance.
Below is summary of the differences of both databases
Relational database and NoSQL databases.
Relational database (SQL) NoSQL databases
Data uses Schema No schema or schema-less
Have relations Few relations or No
relations
Distribution of data is Data is usually merged or
across multiple tables nested in few collections
Horizontal scaling is Horizontal scaling is possible
impossible or very difficult
Vertical scaling possible but Vertical scaling is possible
limitations
There are limitations when Great performance lots read
querying lots of read & & write queries
write queries per second
Table 1. SQL VS NoSQL
 V. CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCHES
To conclude or to come up to which one is better or
more appropriate? There is no clear border as you can
use or build an application with either databases. Except
when you grow big where you have to use both
databases. Mainly you have to think about your core
strength and requirements. Whether you need clear
schema, do you use a lot of relationships, do you work
with data that changes frequently and is used on your
different part of applications, then in this case you need
relational database. As this allows you to manage your
data as the above guidelines you thought of.
The NoSQL approach is great for application when you
need to write and read a lot. But not necessarily update
regularly in your databases. As well when read and
display your data as quickly as possible without running
complex join query. Also, where scaling is also a matter of
concern. Then you may be leaning to NoSQL DATABASE.
or better off choosing NoSQL DATABASE.
At the end NoSQL is more hyped and offers significant
advantages but is wrong to say is better that relational
database and also the other way around. At the end it
comes down to testing, playing around and simply
choosing the tools and database for the right job in hand.
Therefore, we can’t say NoSQL is better than traditional
relational database or worst of using it.
Future researches can be conduct how to integrate both
relational database and NoSQL database in order to
optimize your data processing and gathering. Both have
strong features and they can be combined to create a
better and more efficient technology than we have
currently.
In conclusion, there is no clear winner or better
database after all. It all depends on what kind of
database application you are building or data you are
storing. For example, in a really big application or
projects, you use both as you work with different data
or applications. The research of my topic comes to
conclusion with future developments also considered in
accordance to both relational database and NoSQL
databases. Even though technology is emerging highly
and evolving, there is always a better or efficient way to
deal with the current situation with old technologies and
or traditional ways. It is always better and wise to do
research before using one of the technologies available,
in this case research relating you new project and the
databases you want to use.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I thank the University of Greenwich for giving me the
knowledge and guidelines in order to conduct this
research paper. I would also, like to acknowledge Dr.
Tatiana the lecturer of this course for giving me the
required knowledge related to NoSQL data and general
database. It really gave me the platform and the
encourage to conduct this research and paper.
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