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SQL Vs NoSQL:
Difference Between SQL
and NoSQL
March 10, 2022

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Table Of Contents [show]

What is SQL?
What is NoSQL?
Key Features
SQL vs NoSQL: Head to Head Comparison
Pros and Cons of SQL and NoSQL
Conclusion
FAQs
Additional Resources

What is SQL?
SQL or the Structured Query Language is the most
common and popular programming language for the
relational database management system. It is a
language designed to extract, store, insert, delete,
update and manage data for structured data and
strategic analysis.

SQL is widely used by top tech companies like

Facebook, Whatsapp, etc for data processing
solutions. It is used for different types of RDBMS
including Oracle, MySQL, SQLServer, etc.

Functions of SQL:

Perform queries on the database

Database Retrieval
Set permissions on tables, views
Can insert records into the database
Update records in a database
Delete records from a database
Create new databases, or new tables in a
database
Create stored procedures & views in a
database

What is NoSQL?
NoSQL database provides a mechanism for storage
and retrieval of data that is modelled other than
tabular form. It was introduced by Carl Stroz in the
year 1998 called a Non-relational database. Now, it
stands for Not only SQL. It is not limited to storing
data in tables, instead, enables the big data to be
stored in the structured, unstructured, semi-
structured or polymorphic form.

It is not limited to storing data in tables, instead,

enables the big data to be stored in the structured,
unstructured, semi-structured or polymorphic form.

Companies like Twitter and Google, with a

tremendous amount of data set like the user data of
the social platforms, prefer to use NoSQL over any
other RDBMS.

Key Features

Features of SQL

Provide High-Performance Capabilities

SQL is a powerful tool as it is highly
compatible with all types of RDBMS like
MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle Database, MS
Access, etc.
Data Consistency: SQL adheres to ACID
properties with a strict schema that ensures
better data consistency.
Ensures Vertical Scalability
Handle Large Transactions with efficiency
Robust Security Measures like rigid schema,
data consistency, data integrity, regular
updates, etc.
Suitable for every type of organization – large
or small.
SQL is easy to learn and manage
Open Source Programming Language
Supports Data Definition Language and Data
Manipulation Language to query the
databases

Features of NoSQL

NoSQL has higher scalability than other

database management systems
Schema Free: You do not need to define the
schema of the database before storing the
data onto the system.
NoSQL allows the distribution of data on
more than just one device.
With NoSQL Database, you do not require
specialized or complex hardware or storage
solutions.
Does not require data normalization
Simple API for easy user interfaces
Can store unstructured, semi-structured, or
structured data.

SQL vs NoSQL: Head to

Head Comparison

Parameter SQL NoSQL

NoSQL
SQL databases databases
are a type of are a type of
system software software that
that supports allows to
management, maintain and
Define analysis, retrieve
capturing and structured,
querying the unstructured,
structured data polymorphic
in a relational data for
format. different
purposes.

A language used
to communicate A software
with databases to retrieve,
for storage, store and
Purpose
deletion, manage
updation, scalability of
insertion and databases.
retrieval of data.

NoSQL was
developed in
2000 as an
SQL was enhanced
developed in the version for
Development
year 1970 for SQL
Year
flat file storage databases for
problems. unstructured
and semi-
structured
data.

NonSQL
SQL databases
does not
support
Query have any
Structured
Language declarative
Query
query
Languages.
language.

Supports
document
oriented,
Supports table
Type graph
based data type.
databases,
key value
pair-based.

Horizontally
Scalable
Vertically (Changing
Scalable (Add small nodes
resources to with larger
increase the nodes to
Scalability
capacity of the increase the
existing capacity of
hardware and the existing
software). hardware
and
software).

SQL supports Nosql

predefined supports
schemas, dynamic
making the schemas to
Schemas
storage of data store
restrictive to different
structured type forms of
only. data.

Non-SQL is
SQL is
Architecture non
relational.
relational.

NoSQL is
best suited
SQL is best
for
suitable for
unstructured
Ideal Use complex
data or
Cases queries, multi-
documents.
row
Not ideal for
transactions.
complex
queries.

NonSQL
Databases that
databases
support SQL
require
require powerful
Hardware commodity
hardware to
hardware for
support vertical
horizontal
scaling.
scaling.

NonSQL
SQL enables
follows CAP
ACID(atomicity,
(consistency,
consistency,
Properties availability,
isolation, and
partition
durability)
tolerance)
properties
properties.

NoSQL is
SQL does not best suited
support for
Data Storage
hierarchical hierarchical
storage of data. storage of
data.

NoSQL
SQL databases
databases
can only be run
are designed
on a single
to follow
Distributed system and
data
Data hence, does not
distribution
follow
features like
distribution of
repetition,
data.
partition.

• Secure • High
Best • Cross Platform Performance
Features Support • Flexible
• Free • Easy to use

Top Amazon,
Microsoft, Dell,
Companies Capgemini,
Cognizant, etc.
Using Adobe, etc.

SQL supports Nosql

databases like databases
Examples MySQL, SQL are Hbase,
Server, Oracle, MongoDB,
etc. Redis, etc.

In order to get a clear picture of which one is better,

we need to look at the advantages and
disadvantages of SQL and NoSQL.

Here are the pros and cons of SQL and NoSQL.

Pros and Cons of SQL and

NoSQL
To understand the clear difference between SQL
and NoSQL, you need to have a comprehensive
understanding of the advantages and drawbacks of
both of them.

Pros/Advantages of SQL

Coding – No prior knowledge of extensive

coding is needed. SQL is simple and easy to
learn with declarative commands.

Portability – SQL is highly portable and can

be run on Laptops, Mainframes, PC’s, tablets
or smartphones, etc.

Open-source – SQL is an open-source

product that ensures a stronger community
for development and assistance in this
domain.

Interactive Language – SQL is an

interactive language which means it is easy to
learn and quite efficient in working with
complex queries. Programmers prefer this
language as data retrieval in SQL is rapid.

Defined standards – SQL standards are well

defined as they were foremostly used by ISO
and ANSI.

Data Views – Allows multiple data views

SQL supports the client-server architecture

completely.

High Demand

SQL is in high demand. Many top tier companies

are using RDBMS and require administrators with
proficiency in SQL skills. Companies like
Micorosoft, Hootsuite, Cognizant, and many others
are using SQL databases.

Cons/Drawbacks of SQL

Complex Structure – Access is difficult in

SQL because of its complex structure.

Interfacing – The process of interfacing can

get complicated in SQL as there is not much
coding involved in writing SQL queries.

Limited – SQL demand and scaling are

limited to particular projects and data types
like you cannot use SQL to query
unstructured or semi-structured data. It is
fixated on a relational schema.

Pros/Advantages of NoSQL

Scale-Out Architecture – NoSQL was

designed in 2000 to cover the concerns faced
in SQL. It is inevitable to stop the
exponential growth of data and to manage
that NoSQL provides a scale-out architecture.
This technology will allow changing the data
plane resources by adding more nodes to the
cluster that ensure larger storage capacity and
scalability of data.

Data Type Storage – NoSQL flexibility is its

biggest advantage. Programmers are not
limited to storing only structured data. The
freedom from the predefined schema allows
NoSQL databases to store and retrieve data
easily. From structured data to loosely
structured values like maps, strings, binary
values etc, can all be stored and retrieved at
ease by the data administrators.

Developer Friendly – There is not much

hassle in storing and using data for creating
applications in NoSQL. Programmers can
store data “as it is” i.e., without converting
the semi-structured data into a table format
for retrieval and manipulation. This enables
developers to adapt to structure and
technology on their own.

Less Management – NoSQL databases are

an enhanced version of a database
management system and, thus, does not
require a big team of data administrators to
perform small tasks or to manage the system.
In addition to this, the less complex structure
of NoSQL makes it easier to handle and
operate.

Big Data Applications – NoSQL databases

have a large capacity to store massive
volumes of data.

Cons/Drawbacks of NoSQL

ACID properties – Unlike relational

databases, NoSQL does not support ACID
properties that limit it to provide reliability
functions.

Query Language – NoSQL databases do not

have any standard query language like SQL.
It makes the process of data handling,
retrieval, and management more complex and
slower.

Different Data Models – NoSQL has

different data models for storing and
maintaining data like Key-value, document,
column family,etc. It hampers NoSQL to
facilitate a single database for different
purposes instead one has to operate with
multiple databases and data models to
perform all the niches. This makes the
functioning complex, and increases the
chances for less data consistency.

Huge Databases – Data quality and Data

Duplication are two of the prime issues with
NoSQL as it can store up to a massive
amount of data without the ACID properties.

Conclusion

SQL vs NoSQL: Which is

better?

The biggest and the debatable question to answer.

There is no denying the fact that both SQL and

NoSQL are some of the best of their kind. SQL is
the most in-demand programming language for
RDBMS and NoSQL is the preferred software for
storing structured, unstructured and semi-structured
data.

And the answer to which one is better is – It all

depends on your requirements and the project you
are working on.

If you are looking for consistency, reliability, and a

system to query structured data you choose SQL
databases.

However, if you are looking to work faster and

independently for storing and retrieving data like
graphs, binary numbers, etc choose NoSQL
databases.

The former focuses on complex queries, with data

consistency and ACID properties whereas, the latter
is more object-based and suitable for a huge amount
of different types of data storage.

Therefore, before choosing your preferred option

read about the difference between SQL and NoSQL
thoroughly.

FAQs
Q: Can NoSQL replace SQL?
A: No, NoSQL cannot replace SQL as certain
projects require SQL only.

Q: Where is NoSQL used?

A: NoSQL is used by companies that need a
distributed data system for storing and maintaining
a large amount of unstructured and structured types
of data.

Q: Where is SQL used?

A: SQL is used by administrators who want to
retrieve, store and manipulate data for different
purposes. SQL supports only relation-based
databases only.

Q: Is SQL safer than NoSQL?

A: Yes, SQL is safer than NoSQL for complex
queries in terms of data consistency, data integrity
and data redundancy as SQL adheres to ACID
properties.

Additional Resources
SQL IDE
SQL Projects
Characteristics of SQL
Features of SQL
SQL Commands
SQL Books
SQL MCQ With Answers
SQL Vs MySQL
DBMS Vs RDMS
SQL Interview Questions
DBMS Interview Questions

NoSQL SQL

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