NoSQL Databases
NoSQL databases are non-relational database management systems designed to handle large volumes of unstructured, semi-structured, or structured data with flexible schemas. They prioritize scalability, performance, and availability over strict ACID compliance, making them suitable for modern applications like big data, real-time web apps, and distributed systems. Common types include document, key-value, column-family, and graph databases.
Developers should learn NoSQL databases when building applications that require horizontal scaling, high throughput, or flexible data models, such as social media platforms, IoT systems, or content management systems. They are particularly useful for handling JSON-like documents, caching layers, or graph-based relationships where traditional SQL databases might be too rigid or slow.