Couchbase vs MongoDB vs MySQL: What are the differences?
## Key Differences between Couchbase, MongoDB, and MySQL
Couchbase, MongoDB, and MySQL are popular databases that serve different purposes and come with various features. Below are the key differences between them.
1. **Data Model**: Couchbase and MongoDB are NoSQL databases, allowing for flexible schemas, while MySQL is a relational database, enforcing a structured schema with predefined tables, columns, and relationships.
2. **Scalability**: Couchbase and MongoDB are designed for horizontal scalability, enabling them to handle large amounts of data by distributing it across multiple nodes, whereas MySQL traditionally scales vertically, requiring more powerful hardware as data grows.
3. **Query Language**: Couchbase and MongoDB use query languages specific to their databases, such as N1QL for Couchbase and the MongoDB Query Language. MySQL uses SQL, which is a standard language for relational databases.
4. **Consistency**: Couchbase and MongoDB offer eventual consistency by default, where data may be inconsistent across nodes in a cluster before it is eventually synchronized. MySQL offers strong consistency by default, ensuring that all data operations are immediately consistent across all nodes.
5. **Use Cases**: Couchbase and MongoDB are often used for applications requiring high availability, fast reads, and occasional updates, such as mobile apps or real-time analytics. MySQL is suitable for transactional applications that require complex queries, ACID compliance, and structured data.
6. **Data Distribution**: Couchbase and MongoDB support automatic sharding for distributing data across multiple nodes, allowing for better performance and fault tolerance. MySQL relies on manual partitioning for distributing data, which can be more complex and less flexible.
In Summary, the key differences between Couchbase, MongoDB, and MySQL lie in their data models, scalability, query languages, consistency models, use cases, and data distribution strategies.