CockroachDB vs RocksDB: What are the differences?

Key Differences between CockroachDB and RocksDB

CockroachDB and RocksDB are both widely used for database management, but they have some key differences.

1. Storage Model: CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database that offers horizontal scalability, high availability, and strong consistency. It uses a distributed storage model that partitions data across multiple nodes for redundancy and fault tolerance. On the other hand, RocksDB is an embedded key-value store that is typically used as a storage engine for other databases. It is optimized for high read and write performance but does not provide built-in distributed capabilities.

2. Data Model: CockroachDB supports a relational data model and offers features like ACID transactions, SQL queries, and indexes. It allows developers to model complex relationships between data and enforce constraints. In contrast, RocksDB is a key-value store that offers a simpler data model. It stores data as key-value pairs and does not have built-in support for complex queries or data relationships.

3. Scalability: CockroachDB is designed to scale horizontally, meaning it can handle increased workloads by adding more nodes to the cluster. It automatically distributes data across nodes and provides built-in mechanisms for load balancing and fault tolerance. RocksDB, on the other hand, is typically used as a single-node storage engine and does not provide built-in distributed scalability.

4. Consistency: CockroachDB guarantees strong consistency, meaning that all clients see the same snapshot of data at any given point in time. It ensures that transactions are isolated and follow the acid properties. In contrast, RocksDB does not provide built-in support for strong consistency guarantees. It can be used as a storage engine for databases that implement their own consistency models.

5. Query Language: CockroachDB uses SQL as its query language, which provides a familiar and powerful interface for developers. It supports complex queries, joins, aggregations, and indexing. RocksDB does not have a built-in query language. It is often used as a storage engine for databases that provide their own query languages.

6. Community and Ecosystem: CockroachDB has a growing community of users and contributors and is backed by a dedicated company, Cockroach Labs. It has a wide range of integrations, tools, and extensions that enhance its functionality. RocksDB is an open-source project maintained primarily by Facebook. It has a dedicated developer community and is used by various databases and applications as a storage engine.

In Summary, CockroachDB is a distributed SQL database with a relational data model, strong consistency guarantees, and scalability. RocksDB, on the other hand, is an embedded key-value store optimized for high performance but lacks distributed capabilities and a built-in query language.