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Is the Relational Database Doomed?

Source: ReadWriteWeb

Feb 12, 2009

Summary

Recently, a lot of new non-relational databases have cropped up both inside and outside the cloud. One key message this sends is, "if you want vast, on-demand scalability, you need a non-relational database".

If that is true, then is this a sign that the once mighty relational database finally has a chink in its armor? Is this a sign that relational databases have had their day and will decline over time? In this post, we'll look at the current trend of moving away from relational databases in certain situations and what this means for the future of the relational database.

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Relational databases have been around for over 30 years. During this time, several so-called revolutions flared up briefly, all of which were supposed to spell the end of the relational database. All of those revolutions fizzled out, of course, and none even made a dent in the dominance of relational databases.

First, Some Background

A relational database is essentially a group of tables (entities). Tables are made up of columns and rows (tuples). Those tables have constraints, and rela

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Comments (3)

Jungleg,

Feb 13, 2009

A great, great article comparing the advantages of each of the DB models.