.NET Architecture & System Design Interview Question #65
When should you consider a NoSQL database?
Database Scaling, Partitioning, NoSQL & Data Consistency Mid-Level Intermediate
Quick Interview Answer
A NoSQL database can be appropriate when the workload benefits from a non-relational data model, flexible schema, massive horizontal distribution, specialized access patterns, or database-specific consistency and availability characteristics.
Detailed Explanation
A NoSQL database can be appropriate when the workload benefits from a non-relational data model, flexible schema, massive horizontal distribution, specialized access patterns, or database-specific consistency and availability characteristics.
The choice should follow requirements rather than fashion. Relational databases remain suitable for many large systems, especially where transactions, relationships, and flexible querying are important.
Code Example
Choose by access pattern:
Relational -> transactions + relationships
Document -> aggregate-shaped documents
Key-value -> direct key lookup
Graph -> relationship traversal
Wide-column -> large distributed datasets