Types of Databases Difficulty Level: Medium Last Updated : 13 Sep, 2021 ao e A quick review of the present need to store massive chunks of data relevant to multiple related or unrelated categories, reveals that databases must be highly effective at what they are designed to do This is not only because of the amount of data being continuously revised or modified that we are dealing with; the dynamics of it aren't of sole interest anymore. It's because of the social value that every individual has assigned to them: databases are the literal backbone of a client's lifestyle or a business's worth Designing different types of databases lie at the core of the functionality that they provide to the users. Since data is a dynamic entity, the way it is stored varies a lot. It is also the reason behind companies designing their own types of databases that comply with their needs. In this article, we shall be looking at the most commonly used databases. They are namely: * Hierarchical databases * Network databases * Object-oriented databases * Relational databases * NoSQL databases 1. Hierarchical Databases : Just as in any hierarchy, this database follows the progression of data being categorized in ranks or levels, wherein data is categorized based on a common point ee eee eg ete ate eenStart Your Coding Journey Now! Dera ete Ste Do note how Departments and Administration are entirely unlike each other and yet fall under the domain of a University. They are elements that form this hierarchy. Another perspective advises visualizing the data being organized in a parent-child relationship, which upon addition of multiple data elements would resemble a tree. The child records are linked to the parent record using a field, and so the parent record is allowed multiple child records. However, vice versa is not possible. Notice that due to such a structure, hierarchical databases are not easily salable; the addition of data elements requires a lengthy traversal through the database. 2. Network Databases : In Layman's terms, a network database is a hierarchical database, but with a major tweak. The child records are given the freedom to associate with multiple parent records. Asa result, a network or net of database files linked with multiple threads is observed. Notice how the Student, Faculty, and Resources elements each have two- parent records, which are Departments and Clubs. Se cee ee eee ene Pere eeeStart Your Coding Journey Now! orn) Des) ee ay Students ety ed Certainly, a complex framework, network databases are more capable of representing two-directional relationships. Also, conceptual simplicity favors the utilization of a simpler database management language The disadvantage lies in the inability to alter the structure due to its complexity and also in it being highly structurally dependent 3. Object-Oriented Databases : Those familiar with the Object-Oriented Programming Paradigm would be able to relate to this model of databases easily. Information stored in a database is capable of being represented as an object which response as an instance of the database model. Therefore, the object can be referenced and called without any difficulty, As a result, the workload on the database is substantially reduced. Name ontype0) ‘Phone Number ofType() mal Adress Roll Number ‘Average Mark lesa) Is Elgtate To Enrol Oe ce Crete eraStart Your Coding Journey Now! livesAt() method. Furthermore, these objects have attributes which are in fact the data elements that need to be defined in the database. An example of such a model is the Berkeley DB software library which uses the same conceptual background to deliver quick and highly efficient responses to database queries from the embedded database 4, Relational Databases : Considered the most mature of all databases, these databases lead in the production line along with their management systems. In this database, every piece of information has a relationship with every other piece of information. This is on account of every data value in the database having a unique identity in the form of a record. Note that all data is tabulated in this model. Therefore, every row of data in the database is linked with another row using a primary key. Similarly, every table is linked with another table using a foreign key. Refer to the diagram below and notice how the concept of ‘Keys’ is used to link two tables. 2 RaaeGovinan | St \ S| em ” Due to this introduction of tables to organize data, it has become exceedingly popular. Se ee eee ee ertStart Your Coding Journey Now! Databases 5. NoSQL Databases : ANoSQL originally referring to non SQL or non-relational is a database that provides a mechanism for storage and retrieval of data. This data is modeled in means other than the tabular relations used in relational databases ANoSQL database includes simplicity of design, simpler horizontal scaling to clusters of machines, and finer control over availability. The data structures used by NoSQL databases are different from those used by default in relational databases which makes some operations faster in NoSQL. The suitability of a given NoSQL database depends on the problem it should solve. Data structures used by NoSQL databases are sometimes also viewed as more flexible than relational database tables. MongoDB falls in the category of NoSQL document-based database Advantages of NoSQL - There are many advantages of working with NoSQL databases such as MongoDB and Cassandra. The main advantages are high scalability and high availability. Disadvantages of NoSQL - NoSQL has the following disadvantages * NoSQL is an open-source database. * GUlis not available * Backup is a weak point for some NoSQL databases like MongoDB. * Large document size These are but a few types of database structures which represent the fundamental concepts extensively used in the industry. However, as mentioned earlier, clients tend to focus on creating databases which would suit their own needs; to store data ina schema which showcases a variable functionality based on its blueprint. Hence, the scope for development in reference to databases and database management systems is bright ee eee eg ete ate err