NoSQL Databases
NoSQL databases are non-relational data storage systems designed for handling large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured data, offering high scalability and flexibility. They use various data models like document, key-value, graph, or column-family, diverging from the traditional table-based SQL structure. These databases are optimized for distributed architectures, supporting horizontal scaling and high-performance operations in modern applications.
Developers should learn NoSQL databases when building applications requiring massive scalability, real-time processing, or handling diverse data types like JSON, XML, or graph data, such as in big data analytics, IoT systems, or social networks. They are ideal for use cases where schema flexibility, low-latency access, and distributed computing are prioritized over strict ACID transactions, making them suitable for agile development and cloud-native environments.