Pros and Cons of MySQL and NoSQL databases

Hansani Hirunika Bandara
7 min readMar 17, 2022

What is SQL

SQL is a database management language that allows you to create, delete, retrieve, and edit data in databases. Although SQL is an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard language, there are several SQL variants.

SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and it is a computer language used to store, manipulate, and retrieve data from a relational database.

The Relational Database System (RDBMS) standard language is SQL. SQL is the standard database language used by all Relational Database Management Systems (RDMS) such as MySQL, MS Access, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, Postgres, and SQL Server.

· T-SQL is used by MS SQL Server

· PL/SQL is used by Oracle

· JET SQL (native format) is used by MS Access

Need of SQL

· It’s a popular tool in the Business Intelligence field.

· SQL is used for data manipulation and data testing.

· SQL is heavily used in data science tools. SQL is required by big data technologies like Spark and Impala.

· It is one of the most difficult industrial talents to master.

SQL Pros

1. It is simple and straightforward.

One of the reasons SQL is so popular is because it does not need extensive understanding of coding and program writing. SQL features several fundamental terms that may be used to do operations, such as SELECT, INSERT INTO, UPDATE, and so on. Syntactical principles are similarly straightforward and simple to understand.

2. Query Processing Is Faster

SQL operates at a rapid rate. Massive amounts of data may be handled in a matter of seconds! In a relational database, querying, manipulating, and calculating data via analytical queries is quick and easy.

3. No coding skills

A huge number of lines of code is not required for data retrieval. SQL uses all of the essential terms, such as SELECT, INSERT INTO, UPDATE, and so on, and the syntactical rules are simple, making it a user-friendly language.

4. Standardized Language

It gives a standard platform to all of its users throughout the world as a result of paperwork and years of establishment.

5. It’s transportable

It is extremely portable, since it can be utilized in PCs, servers, and standalone laptops running any operating system, including Windows, Linux, and Mac. It may also be integrated with other programs.

6. Extensively Interactive

It becomes an interactive language for its users since it offers easy instructions for various uses. It’s simple to grasp, and even non-programmers can understand the commands.

SQL Cons

1. Bad User Interface

SQL has a horrible user interface that makes everything appear hard when it isn’t! Users find it tough to work with databases because of the complicated interface.

2. Ineffective in terms of cost

The annual cost of SQL Server Standard is roughly $1,418. Some programmers find it difficult to utilize due to the high cost.

3. Control in Segments

SQL does not provide its users total control over databases. This is due to several business standards that aren’t well known.

4. Safety and security

SQL databases, regardless of version, are continually under jeopardy because they store large volumes of sensitive data.

What is NoSQL

NoSQL is a collection of philosophical database architecture blueprints that avoid storing relational data. As a result, NoSQL databases are often very specialized and purpose-built, and so do not always operate as a SQL alternative.

As a result, discussing how NoSQL works is limited to phrases like “non-relational” and “doesn’t employ a schema.” Even the latter isn’t always true, because you may use a schema. It’s simply that you don’t have to in NoSQL.

We touched on a few of the benefits of NoSQL earlier, but let’s go a little further.

Need of NoSQL

· Support a huge number of users at the same time (tens of thousands, perhaps millions)

· Deliver extremely responsive user experiences to a worldwide audience.

· There will be no downtime if you are constantly available.

· Organize semi-structured and unstructured data.

· With frequent upgrades and new features, you can quickly adjust to changing requirements.

NoSQL Pros

1. Scalability that is adaptable

In contrast to rational database management techniques, which are difficult to scale up in commodity clusters, NoSQL models make advantage of new nodes, making growth visible. The concept was created to work with low-cost hardware. NoSQL models are the preferable alternative in today’s environment, as outward scalability is replacing upward scalability.

2. Capable of storing massive amounts of data

Because transaction rates are increasing as a result of recognition, massive amounts of data must be kept. While rational models have evolved to satisfy this requirement, using them to store such massive amounts of data is unreasonable. NoSQL models, on the other hand, can readily manage large quantities.

3. Database Management

To build, implement, and maintain the greatest rational models, you’ll need the help of a professional. However, because NoSQL models already include auto repair and data dissemination capabilities, fewer administration and turning needs, and simpler data designs, they require far less professional management.

4. Cost-effective

NoSQL models are simple and inexpensive to set up, whereas rational structures require expensive proprietary servers and storage solutions. As a result, more data can be processed and stored at a lower cost.

5. Models of data

Surprisingly, NoSQL is more of a concept than a single data model, and it encompasses a number of data structures. As a result, these data models are highly specialized in particular use cases, allowing them to outperform relational databases. Hierarchical databases, for example, are ideal for geographical data in geotagging apps, with data storage made more easier by the 1:N connection (that is, tree or parent-child).

There aren’t as many drawbacks as there are pros, but they might add up quickly depending on the job.

NoSQL Cons

1. Not at all mature

The fact that NoSQL isn’t as developed as SQL is perhaps its biggest disadvantage. SQL has been around since the 1970s and gained popularity in the 2000s, but the fact is that it has received a significant lot of money, time, and effort. As a result, compared to NoSQL, SQL is far more evolved.

So, what exactly does that imply? Simply said, you won’t be able to find the same level of knowledge and assistance for NoSQL as you would for SQL. If you need a consultant for a project, for example, it will be considerably easier to get a SQL specialist than a NoSQL expert. This is wonderful if you’re wanting to improve your programming abilities and earn more money, but it’s not ideal for tasks that require expertise.

2. Multiple databases are required.

As previously said, NoSQL is more of a scalpel than a hammer. That is, it is designed to be highly customized for certain use cases rather than being a one-size-fits-all solution. This is in contrast to SQL, which is a widely broad paradigm that can accommodate a wide range of requirements.

As a result, if you’re utilizing NoSQL, you’ll almost certainly wind up employing a variety of databases and data models to cover all the bases. It’s possible that you’ll still need to utilize SQL to assist streamline the process.

3. Databases that are massive.

This isn’t as much of an issue as it once was, but because NoSQL isn’t designed to eliminate data duplication, database volumes may quickly balloon. Again, with the low cost of storage these days, this isn’t a major concern, but it’s something to consider. Data quality is also a concern with NoSQL and its vast databases, which should be taken into consideration.

4. Business Intelligence And Analytics

NoSQL models were developed with today’s web 2.0 web applications in mind. As a result, most NoSQL features are geared toward addressing these needs, while disregarding the needs of apps that lack these traits, resulting in fewer analytic tools for standard web apps.

Any company considering using the NoSQL model should proceed with prudence, keeping in mind the above-mentioned advantages and disadvantages, as well as their reasonable opposites.

5. Insufficient Support

Every company should feel secure in the knowledge that if a critical function in their database system breaks, they will have unrestricted access to qualified help at any time. All rational model providers have gone above and above to give this assurance, ensuring that their support is available 24 hours a day, which is something that NoSQL vendors have yet to promise.

Conclusion

SQL stands for Structured Query Language, and it is a computer language used to store, manipulate, and retrieve data from a relational database. It is the standard database language used by all Relational Database Management Systems (RDMS) such as MySQL, MS Access, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, Postgres, and SQL Server. NoSQL is a collection of philosophical database architecture blueprints that avoid storing relational data. NoSQL databases are often very specialized and purpose-built, and so do not always operate as a SQL alternative. In contrast to rational database management techniques, NoSQL models make advantage of new nodes, making growth visible.

The concept was created to work with low-cost hardware. NoSQL is more of a concept than a single data model, and encompasses a number of data structures. It’s designed to be highly customized for certain use cases rather than being a one-size-fits-all solution. NoSQL models are simple and inexpensive to set up, whereas rational structures require expensive servers and storage solutions. The fact that NoSQL isn’t as developed as relational databases is perhaps its biggest disadvantage.

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