Picking a Database Management System (DBMS)

Database Design

Lis Sulmont

Curriculum Manager

DBMS

• DBMS: DataBase Management System
• Create and maintain databases
  • Data
  • Database schema
  • Database engine
• Interface between database and end users

DBMS types

• Choice of DBMS depends on database type

• Two types:

  • SQL DBMS
  • NoSQL DBMS

SQL DBMS

• Relational DataBase Management System (RDBMS)
• Based on the relational model of data
• Query language: SQL
• Best option when:
  • Data is structured and unchanging
  • Data must be consistent

NoSQL DBMS

• Less structured
• Document-centered rather than table-centered
• Data doesn’t have to fit into well-defined rows and columns
• Best option when:
  • Rapid growth
  • No clear schema definitions
  • Large quantities of data
• Types: key-value store, document store, columnar database, graph database

NoSQL DBMS - key-value store

 

• Combinations of keys and values
  • Key: unique identifier
  • Value: anything
• Use case: managing the shopping cart for an on-line buyer
• Example:

NoSQL DBMS - document store

 

• Similar to key-value
• Values (= documents) are structured
• Use case: content management
• Example:

NoSQL DBMS - columnar database

 

 

• Store data in columns
• Scalable
• Use case: big data analytics where speed is important
• Example:

NoSQL DBMS - graph database

 

• Data is interconnected and best represented as a graph
• Use case: social media data, recommendations
• Example:

Choosing a DBMS

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Database Design