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Understanding DDIA - Chapter 01,02

· One min read
Abhishek Tripathi
Abhishek Tripathi
Curiosity brings awareness.

Question

Explain the key differences between relational databases and document databases. When would you choose one over the other?

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Solution

Here are the key differences between relational and document databases:

  1. Schema:
  • Relational: Rigid, predefined schema
  • Document: Flexible, schema-less design
  1. Data Model:
  • Relational: Data normalized across tables
  • Document: Denormalized, nested documents
  1. Scalability:
  • Relational: Vertical scaling primarily
  • Document: Easier horizontal scaling

Choose Relational when:

  • Data consistency is crucial
  • Complex queries and joins are needed
  • ACID compliance is required

Choose Document when:

  • Schema flexibility is needed
  • Rapid prototyping
  • Handling large amounts of unstructured data
  • Horizontal scaling is a priority
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