In-Memory Database
An in-memory database (IMDB) is a database management system that primarily relies on main memory for data storage, rather than disk storage. It stores data in RAM, enabling extremely fast data access and processing by eliminating the latency of disk I/O operations. These databases are optimized for high-performance applications requiring real-time data processing and low-latency responses.
Developers should use in-memory databases when building applications that demand ultra-fast data retrieval, such as real-time analytics, caching layers, session stores, or high-frequency trading systems. They are ideal for scenarios where data can fit in memory and performance is critical, as they offer millisecond or microsecond response times compared to traditional disk-based databases.