HBase vs HarperDB: What are the differences?

Introduction

When comparing HBase and HarperDB, it is essential to understand the key differences between the two databases. Both HBase and HarperDB offer different features and capabilities that cater to specific use cases and requirements.

1. Data Model: HBase is a wide-column store NoSQL database that follows the column-family-based data model similar to Google Bigtable. On the other hand, HarperDB is a hybrid SQL/NoSQL database that leverages a hybrid data model combining the benefits of both relational and NoSQL databases. This allows HarperDB to support complex relational structures along with schema-less flexibility for semi-structured and unstructured data.

2. Query Language: HBase utilizes the HBase Shell, which is primarily based on the Hadoop ecosystem and uses HBase-specific commands for querying and manipulating data. In contrast, HarperDB supports SQL for querying and managing data, making it more accessible and familiar to users with SQL knowledge. This simplifies the integration and querying process for developers and data analysts.

3. Scaling Capabilities: HBase is built to scale horizontally by adding more nodes to the Hadoop cluster, allowing for distributed storage and processing of vast amounts of data. HarperDB, on the other hand, is designed to scale vertically by utilizing multi-threading and running on a single server or container, making it suitable for smaller to medium-sized applications that do not require massive horizontal scaling.

4. Data Consistency: HBase offers strong consistency guarantees with the use of Row-level locks, which ensures that data is always consistent across all nodes in the cluster. HarperDB, on the other hand, provides eventual consistency by default but allows developers to configure strong consistency on a per-transaction basis, providing flexibility based on the application's requirements.

5. Deployment: HBase is typically deployed on top of a Hadoop cluster, requiring the setup and maintenance of a distributed infrastructure for optimal performance. In contrast, HarperDB can be deployed as a standalone database or within a containerized environment, providing easier deployment options for applications with limited infrastructure resources or those looking for a more lightweight solution.

In Summary, HBase and HarperDB differ in their data model, query language, scaling capabilities, data consistency, and deployment options, catering to specific use cases and requirements of different applications.