MongoDB, one of the most powerful NoSQL database systems is an open source database management system which is document oriented and uses non-structured query language. Rather than using rows and columns associated with traditional DBMS systems, MongoDB has been designed to work on collections and documents. With an offbeat approach to data management, MongoDB has its own set of advantages over the traditional DBMS systems. But are they effective?
What is a NoSQL database?
NoSQL is an abbreviation for “Not Only SQL” database and as the name implies, it is an approach to database management which is useful in accommodating multiple data models. Some of these data types include graphs, columns, key-values, and documents. NoSQL database, an alternative to traditional RDBMS is especially useful when managing a large set of unstructured modern data. It also caters to the need for real-time analytics of the data which is expected for smooth operations.
MongoDB and Big data: The change
Big data has seen an exponential growth over the past few years and MongoDB has been on top of the ladder of success as it pivots through. MongoDB has the ability to adjust to the speed and offer seamless functioning, unlike the traditional RDBMS systems. Some of the reasons for this change have been mentioned below:
Structure of data: A traditional database stores data using rows and columns. But, for unstructured data consisting of multiple data types such as social media content, locations, and numbers, a NoSQL database is the perfect fit as it sets no limits or constraints on the size or type of data. MongoDB, the flexible document based stores these binary data types without any definitions.
Cloud Computing support: Very common in the modern world, cloud-based storage is a cost-effective method for storage but demands that the data be spread across multiple servers to scale up. Compatibility and ability to partition data across multiple servers (sharding) makes MongoDB the perfect fit for Database management.
Features of MongoDB
As mentioned above, MongoDB has its advantages but it also offers specific data-oriented features which are focused on making the most out of the modern day data reporting. These are:
Real-time data reporting and analytics: Pulling together data from different silos to get a real-time picture can be a challenge with a relational database but the flexibility that MongoDB offers makes the process seamless and easy.
Content Management using CMS: The modern day definition of content has evolved and is not limited to text but is spread across visual and audiovisual mediums. The ability to house multiple data types makes it the perfect partner for your CMS systems.
Location-based analytics: In cases where the information procured is based on locations, MongoDB’s built-in spacial function offers access to location-specific data without any complicated procedures for data extraction.
The Internet of Things: With the spread of IOT and IOT supported devices, the number of data points have increase multi-folds and a traditional DBMS’s “Extract, Transform and Load” approach towards data can be a time-consuming affair. This challenge can be overcome with the help of a NoSQL database like MongoDB which holds the ability to analyze data within the database itself.
The conclusion
MongoDB is a revolution in the big data and with its ability to offer multiple data type support and better efficiency, it will only spread its grasp across the data industry. While a traditional database system might be able to process data of a specific type, the era of NoSQL and MongoDB is here to stay. Posing a challenge to RDBMS, MongoDB is definitely the future of data.
Most of the times, it is not intuitive to analyze if there is a need for a NoSQL database like Mongo DB. Experts at OptimizDBA can help you analyze and determine if NoSQL solutions are necessary to improve the efficiency of an application. Get in touch with us and let’s get started.