What is a NoSQL database? A NoSQL database (also known as “no SQL” or “not only SQL”) is a distributed, non-relational database designed for large-scale data storage and massively parallel, high-performance data processing across many commodity systems. Find out what NoSQL databases are used for, why data scientists use them, and a list of the best NoSQL databases available. Unlike relational databases, which organize data into rows and columns like a spreadsheet, NoSQL databases use a single data structure—such as key–value pairs, wide columns, graphs, or documents —to hold information. What is a NoSQL database? A NoSQL database, short for “not only SQL (Structured Query Language),” is a non-relational database designed to handle diverse and flexible data structures. The NoSQL definition refers to databases that support multiple models—including document, graph, key-value, wide-column, and vector stores—offering greater scalability and adaptability compared to traditional SQL databases, which rely on structured tables and fixed schemas. The meaning of NoSQL has ...
