Settling for NoSQL
I think Bruce Momjian nails it:
NoSQL databases differ in several ways from relational databases:
- crude or no query language (clients do much of the processing normally done by SQL)
- no joins (data must be joined client-side)
- sacrifice ACID and transaction properties for speed, fault tolerance, or easy addition and removal of nodes
Few are excited about losing these valuable relational database features, but if your query response and infrastructure requirements can't be met by relational databases, and you can accept these limitations (think social media sites or search engines), NoSQL makes perfect sense.
I have not jumped on the NoSQL bandwagon yet, since I lack a good use case for it. For now, I’m quite satisfied with SQL.
Visit: http://momjian.us/main/blogs/pgblog/2010.html#April_10_2010