In this module, we will focus on Datastores, the backbone of managing data in any application. We interact with Datastores in our daily lives without even realising it; for instance, every mobile device has multiple datastores that store application and user data like contacts, photos, and messages. Without datastore technologies, we would rely on paper to store any kind of data, which would be a cumbersome process. Our objective is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how datastores work and how to effectively use them in your applications.
There are three important types of datastore technologies used in web development:
Relational databases:MySQL,PostgreSQL, andMicrosoft SQL Serverare examples of relational databases. These databases use a table-based structure and are typically used to store structured data.Non-relational databases:MongoDB,Cassandra, andRedisare examples of non-relational databases. These databases use a more flexible data model and are typically used to store unstructured data or data that doesn’t fit well in a table-based structure.In-memory databases: such asRedis,Apache Ignite, andMemcached, store data in RAM, meaning that they allow faster access than traditional disk-based technologies. They are typically used to store data that is frequently accessed or data that requires low-latency access such as a cache.