Choosing the Right Database Technology

Originally posted on January 30, 2025 @ 1:12 pm

Choosing the right database technology could at best put that business on the path of growth or adversely return the business to the era of manual operations.

This is simply because a Database play a crucial role in modern applications in the manner data are created, stored, updated, deleted.

Why is Database Necessary?

As mentioned above, database enable businesses store, organize, and manage structured or unstructured data efficiently.

Structured Data: This entail when data/information is entered in an arranged format such as rows, columns within any relational database

Unstructured Data: It is a non-fixed data arrangement i.e. a non-relational database with difficulty to search for information using traditional SQL queries.

More so, here are some of the necessity of having a database for your business but not limited to –

1. Management of Data – Not only does it store data but can retrieve and manipulate large amount of data systematically;
2. Data Integrity – Encryption, authentication is possible and limited access control;
3. Informed Decision – Generate report and analyze trends for better decision making;
4. Competitive advantage – Database allow businesses to analyze market trends, customer behaviour, competitor strategies and provide a competitive edge; and
5. Business continuity – With database, backup and recovery systems prevent data loss when there is system crash or failure.

Understanding the Key features of SQL Concept and How it can Relate to Business Need.

Structured Query Language (SQL) – This database is relational in nature. It ensures compliance with data consistency through Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability (ACID).

Examples of SQL Database; MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle

Some Features of SQL Database are as follow;

1.     Scale; Scales vertically (adding more power to a single server). Suitable for applications with moderate to high data consistency needs.

2.     Data Consistency and Availability; Follows ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) principles, ensuring data integrity. Best for banking, financial transactions, and sensitive applications.

3.     Flexibility; Uses structured query language (SQL) for complex queries and joins. Better when relationships among data are strong.

4.     Performance; Efficient for complex joins, aggregations, and structured data queries.

Challenges of SQL Database

1. SQL database scale vertically by adding more CPU, RAM to a single server rather than horizontally that add more servers and thereby limit growth;
2. It experiences bottleneck performances as a result of high traffic and large datasets;
3. It requires a predefined schema thus, making changes difficult;
4. Complex joins and queries on massive datasets can slow down performance;
5. Indexing is required but can become inefficient as data grows. 

Understanding the Key features of No-SQL Concept and How it Can Apply to Business Need.

Unstructured Query Language (NoSQL) – They are frequent at using various data models e.g. Document, graph-based storage and key-value.

Examples of NoSQL Database; Mongo (a document-based), Cassandra (a column-based), Redis (key-value) and Neo4j (a graph-based).

Features Involves;

1. Scale; Scales horizontally thereby add more servers to distribute load. It is ideal for large-scale applications with high read/write demands.
2. Data Consistency and availability; Typically follows BASE (Basically Available, Soft state, Eventually consistent) principles, prioritizing availability over strict consistency.
3. Flexibility; Uses flexible query models (JSON, key-value, graph) that work well for hierarchical or rapidly changing data structure.
4. Performance; Faster for high-volume read/write operations, distributed systems, and unstructured data.

Challenges to Expect using No-SQL Database

1. NoSQL does not have a universal query language.
2. No strict standards for schema design, indexing or transactions.
3. NoSQL databases are not optimized for complex queries or joins across multiple datasets.
4. Developers are familiar with SQL therefore struggle with NoSQL’s different data models.
5. Each NoSQL database has different query languages and configurations, requiring specialized knowledge.

Hybrid Approach – Combining SQL and NoSQL

This is an art of bringing both SQL (relational) and NoSQL (non-relational) databases together to leverage the strengths of each.

e.g. an e-commerce platform may use SQL for order processing and NoSQL for customer behavior tracking.

Hybrid approach is ideal for businesses that require both structured transactional data management (SQL) and scalable, high-performance data handling (NoSQL).

By strategically using both technologies, organizations can enhance performance, scalability, and efficiency in data-driven applications.

Would you like help designing a hybrid database architecture for your project? Contact us

Challenges of a Hybrid Approach

1. Data Synchronization – Keeping SQL and NoSQL databases in sync.
2. Complex Architecture – Managing multiple databases increases system complexity.
3. Higher Maintenance Costs – Requires expertise in both SQL and NoSQL technologies.
4. Ensuring Data Consistency is become more difficult
5. Selecting the right use cases for each requires deep architecture planning before implementation. And not all data types are clearly suited for SQL or NoSQL.

Best Use Cases

SQL; Financial systems, inventory management, CRM, Enterprise Applications, etc.

NoSQL; Big data, Real-time analytics, Content management (Social media), Internet of Things (IoT) and Recommendation systems.

Hybrid Approach; E-commerce (SQL for transactions, NoSQL for product catalog and caching).

Recommendations    SQL and NoSQL Database

It is necessary that your informed decision reflect positively on your business after carefully subscribing to the presented facts of the two (2) query languages.

When to adapt SQL Database

• If you aim at complex queries, structured data, and strong consistency

When to choose NoSQL Database

• If your interest is in scalability, flexibility, and high-speed read/write operations.

Finally, choosing between SQL, NoSQL or both depends on the specific requirements of any project.

SQL is best for structured data and transactional consistency, while NoSQL excels in scalability and flexibility.

In some cases, a hybrid approach may be the optimal solution. Understanding the strengths and limitations of both technologies ensures the right database choice for any application.