Cloudant vs IBM DB2: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Cloudant and IBM DB2 are both database management systems offered by IBM. While they share some similarities, they also have key differences that set them apart from each other. In this article, we will explore and discuss these differences in detail.

1. Scalability: Cloudant is a NoSQL, distributed database designed to handle large-scale, high-velocity workloads. It offers automatic data partitioning and replication across multiple servers, enabling it to scale horizontally as the workload increases. On the other hand, IBM DB2 is a relational database management system (RDBMS) that follows the traditional ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties. It can handle large-scale workloads but scaling up requires careful design and planning.

2. Data Model: Cloudant uses a flexible schema-less data model. It allows for the storage of different types of data without predefined schemas, making it suitable for applications with evolving data structures. IBM DB2, on the other hand, follows a strict relational model that requires predefined schemas. It uses tables with columns and rows to organize and store data, making it more suitable for structured data sets.

3. Query Language: Cloudant uses Apache Lucene-based full-text search and Cloudant Query as its primary query languages. It also supports MapReduce for complex queries and indexing. In contrast, IBM DB2 uses SQL as its primary query language. SQL is a widely adopted language for relational databases and allows for complex queries and data manipulation.

4. Deployment Options: Cloudant is a managed database service that is offered as part of IBM Cloud. It provides a fully managed environment where IBM takes care of infrastructure, backups, and security. IBM DB2, on the other hand, can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. It provides more flexibility but requires additional efforts for maintenance and management.

5. Data Consistency: Cloudant guarantees eventual consistency for read and write operations. It means that changes may take some time to propagate across all replicas but are eventually consistent. IBM DB2, being a relational database, follows strong consistency. It ensures that all transactions are immediately consistent with the most up-to-date data, maintaining data integrity and accuracy.

6. Integration with IBM Ecosystem: Cloudant is designed to integrate well with other IBM Cloud services and tools like Watson, IoT, and Analytics. It provides seamless integration for building applications on the IBM Cloud platform. IBM DB2, being an established RDBMS, has a broader integration capability with various IBM and third-party tools and platforms.

In Summary, Cloudant and IBM DB2 have key differences in terms of scalability, data model, query language, deployment options, data consistency, and integration with the IBM ecosystem. These differences make each database suitable for different use cases and requirements.