Azure SQL Database vs Scylla: What are the differences?
Introduction
Azure SQL Database and Scylla are both popular database management systems, but they have key differences that set them apart from each other. In this article, we will explore and highlight the main distinctions between these two systems.
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Scalability: Azure SQL Database is a fully managed relational database service while Scylla is a highly scalable NoSQL database. Azure SQL Database is designed to scale both vertically and horizontally by adjusting the compute resources and storage to meet the needs of the workload. On the other hand, Scylla is built to handle massive amounts of data with linear scalability, allowing it to handle millions of operations per second.
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Data Model: Azure SQL Database follows a structured data model based on tables with predefined schemas, supporting ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties. Scylla, on the other hand, is a wide-column NoSQL database that employs a flexible schema and focuses on high write and read performance. It does not provide built-in support for ACID transactions.
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Consistency Strategy: Azure SQL Database offers strong consistency, ensuring that all replicas have the same data at the same time. It utilizes a distributed consensus protocol to maintain consistency. In contrast, Scylla offers tunable consistency, allowing users to configure the level of consistency they need. It employs eventual consistency by default, which means that updates may take some time to propagate across all replicas.
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Query Language: Azure SQL Database supports the widely used SQL (Structured Query Language), allowing users to perform complex queries using a declarative approach. Scylla, on the other hand, uses its own query language called CQL (Cassandra Query Language), which is similar to SQL but has some differences in syntax and functionality.
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Deployment Options: Azure SQL Database offers a flexible range of deployment options, including single databases, elastic pools, and managed instances. Users can choose the most suitable option depending on their needs and budget. Scylla, on the other hand, can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, giving users the flexibility to run it in their preferred environment.
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Ecosystem Integration: Azure SQL Database is tightly integrated with other Azure services, such as Azure App Service and Azure Functions, making it easy to build and deploy applications. It also supports integration with other popular tools and frameworks like Entity Framework and Power BI. Scylla, on the other hand, has its own ecosystem with various integrations and plugins, including support for Apache Kafka and Apache Spark.
In summary, Azure SQL Database is a managed relational database service with strong consistency and a structured data model, while Scylla is a highly scalable NoSQL database with tunable consistency and a flexible schema. The choice between them depends on the specific requirements of the application and the desired trade-offs between scalability, consistency, and ease of integration.