How to Choose the Right SQL Database

It’s the same in the world of data, where choosing the right SQL database can make or break your organization’s success. With several options available, database selection is a crucial decision that can shape the performance, scalability and efficiency of your data platform. Finding the perfect fit for your specific needs requires careful consideration of various factors and taking time to understand different database types.

This article guides you through the process of selecting a SQL database. We'll explore the main types of SQL databases, discuss key factors to consider when making your choice and take a look at some popular options in the market. By the end, you'll have a clearer picture of how to pick a database that aligns with your project requirements and business goals — setting you up for better data management and analysis.

Understanding SQL database types

SQL databases have evolved over time to meet diverse data management needs. We’ll explore three main types of SQL databases: relational databases, object-relational databases and NewSQL databases.

Relational databases

Relational databases are the foundation of SQL database systems. They organize data into tables consisting of rows and columns. Each table represents a specific entity, like customers or orders, and the columns define the attributes of that entity. This structured approach allows for efficient data storage and retrieval.

One of the key features of relational databases is the use of primary and foreign keys. A primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table, while foreign keys establish relationships between tables. This interconnected structure enables complex queries and data analysis across multiple tables.

Relational databases excel at maintaining data integrity through the implementation of ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation Durability) properties. These properties ensure that transactions are processed reliably and data remains accurate and consistent.

Popular examples of relational databases include MySQL, Oracle Database and Microsoft SQL Server. These systems have a long-standing reputation for reliability and are widely used in various industries.

Object-relational databases

Object-relational databases bridge the gap between traditional relational databases and object-oriented programming concepts. They combine the structured data storage of relational databases with the flexibility of object-oriented models.

These databases support complex data types and allow for the storage of objects directly within the database schema. This capability makes them particularly useful for applications that deal with complex data structures or require seamless integration with object-oriented programming languages.

PostgreSQL is a prime example of an object-relational database management system. It offers the benefits of a relational database, while providing support for user-defined objects and table inheritance. This combination of features makes PostgreSQL a versatile choice for applications that need to handle diverse data types and complex relationships.

NewSQL databases

NewSQL databases (like Apache Trafodion, Clustrix, CockroachDB, Google Spanner, MySQL Cluster, NuoDB, etc.) represent the latest evolution in SQL database technology. They aim to provide the scalability and performance benefits of NoSQL databases while maintaining the ACID compliance and relational structure of traditional SQL databases.

These databases are designed to handle large-scale, distributed environments and high-concurrency workloads. They achieve this through various architectural advancements, including:

• Distributed architecture. NewSQL databases can scale horizontally across multiple servers, allowing them to handle massive datasets and concurrent transactions efficiently.
• In-memory storage. By utilizing main memory for data storage, NewSQL databases can significantly improve read and write operations, enhancing overall performance.
• ACID compliance. Despite their distributed nature, NewSQL databases maintain strict ACID properties, ensuring data integrity and consistency in complex transactional scenarios.

NewSQL databases are particularly well-suited for applications that require real-time analytics, high-volume transaction processing and strong data consistency. Examples of NewSQL databases include CockroachDB, NuoDB, Google's Spanner and SingleStore (which we'll discuss in more detail later).

While NewSQL databases offer impressive capabilities, it's important to note they may have a steeper learning curve compared to traditional relational databases — and since the  ecosystem of tools and services supporting NewSQL is still developing, it could impact integration with your existing infrastructure.

Key factors in SQL database selection

When choosing the right SQL database for your project, several key factors require careful consideration because of the impact they can have on the performance, scalability and overall success of your data platform. Let's explore the critical aspects to evaluate during the database selection process.

Data model and schema

The data model and schema play a crucial role in database selection. It's essential to thoroughly understand the structure of your data, and how it will be organized within the database. Here’s what to consider:

• Analyze your data requirements and create a comprehensive data dictionary that defines every column of information you plan to store.
• Separate your data into logical tables and columns, aiming for a structure that makes sense and minimizes redundancy across tables.
• Plan the constraints for each table, including primary keys, foreign keys and their formats (single-column or multi-column).
• Choose appropriate data types for your columns, keeping in mind that columns with foreign key relationships must share the same data type as the parent column.
• Consider the specific requirements of your chosen database system. For example, some databases may have recommendations for time-related data types or primary key constraints.

By carefully designing your data model and schema, you can ensure your chosen SQL database aligns with your project's needs and supports efficient data management.

Scalability requirements

Scalability has a significant influence on database selection — after all, it determines how well your system can accommodate growth. Here’s what you’ll want to consider when evaluating scalability:

• Assess your project's expected growth and how well the database can handle expansion.
• Understand the differences between vertical and horizontal scaling. Vertical scaling involves increasing the capacity of a single server, while horizontal scaling adds more servers to the system.
• Evaluate the database's ability to scale horizontally, especially if you anticipate rapid growth or high-traffic workloads.
• Consider the trade-offs between different database types. For example, traditional relational databases may struggle with horizontal scaling, while NewSQL databases often excel in this area.
• Explore NewSQL databases, which aim to combine the scalability of NoSQL with the transactional consistency of relational databases.
• Assess the database's performance under increasing data volumes and traffic loads to ensure it can meet your scalability requirements.

Performance needs

Performance has a direct impact on user experience and is a critical factor in database selection. Consider the following aspects when evaluating performance:

• Analyze your project's specific performance requirements, including query efficiency and the balance between read and write operations.
• Assess the database's ability to efficiently handle complex queries, joins and aggregations.
• Consider the performance characteristics of different database types. For example, NoSQL databases may offer faster write speeds, while relational databases excel at complex queries.
• Evaluate the database's ability to handle high-volume write operations, especially for applications that generate constant data updates.
• Assess the database's support for indexing and query optimization techniques to enhance performance.
• Consider the impact of data volume on query performance and how well the database scales as data grows.
• Evaluate the database's ability to handle concurrent operations and maintain performance under heavy loads.

By carefully considering these key factors — data model and schema, scalability requirements and performance needs — you can make an informed decision when selecting a SQL database. This ensures your chosen database aligns with your project's specific requirements and supports your data platform's (and your organization’s) long-term success.

Popular SQL database options

When it comes to database selection, several SQL database options stand out in the market. Each has its unique features and strengths, making them suitable for different use cases. Let's explore some of the most popular SQL database options to help you make an informed decision for your data platform.

SingleStore

SingleStore, formerly known as MemSQL, is a distributed SQL database designed for real-time applications that require high performance at scale. It combines the familiarity of SQL with the scalability and speed often associated with NoSQL databases, making it an excellent choice for real-time analytics and high-concurrency OLTP workloads.

Key features of SingleStore include:

1. In-memory processing. SingleStore utilizes a hybrid row and columnstore architecture, with data stored in memory for fast access and on disk for persistence. This design enables extremely fast query processing and real-time analytics.
2. Distributed architecture. SingleStore is built to scale horizontally across multiple nodes, allowing it to handle massive datasets and high-concurrency workloads efficiently.
3. ACID compliance. Despite its distributed nature, SingleStore maintains full ACID compliance, ensuring data integrity and consistency in complex transactional scenarios.
4. Compatibility. SingleStore is wire-compatible with MySQL, making it easy for organizations familiar with MySQL to adopt SingleStore with minimal changes to their applications.
5. Real-time analytics. The database excels at processing both transactional and analytical workloads simultaneously, making it ideal for applications that require real-time insights from live operational data.
6. Support for diverse data types. SingleStore can handle structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data, including JSON, geospatial and full-text search capabilities.

SingleStore is particularly well-suited for use cases including:

• Real-time analytics dashboards
• High-volume financial trading systems
• IoT data processing and analysis
• Operational analytics for eCommerce platforms
• Real-time personalization engines

While SingleStore offers impressive performance and scalability, it's important to note that it may require more specialized knowledge to set up and maintain compared to traditional relational databases.

MySQL

MySQL has established itself as a leading open-source relational database management system. Its popularity stems from its reliability, ease of use and scalability. MySQL has a significant impact on web applications, powering many of the world's largest websites and applications including Twitter, Facebook, Netflix and Spotify.

One of MySQL's key advantages is its user-friendly nature. Getting started with MySQL is relatively straightforward, thanks to its comprehensive documentation and large community of developers. The abundance of MySQL-related resources online further supports its ease of use.

MySQL was designed with a focus on speed and reliability. While it may not fully adhere to standard SQL, MySQL developers continuously work towards closer compliance. To bridge this gap, MySQL offers various SQL modes and extensions that bring it closer to standard SQL functionality.

Unlike some other database systems, MySQL operates through a separate daemon process. This architecture allows for greater control over database access, enhancing security and management capabilities.

Want to learn more? Here’s a guide to help you migrate from MySQL to SingleStore.

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL, often referred to as Postgres, bills itself as "the most advanced open-source relational database in the world." It was created with the goal of being highly extensible and standards-compliant. PostgreSQL is an object-relational database, combining the structured data storage of relational databases with the flexibility of object-oriented models.

One of PostgreSQL's standout features is its ability to handle complex data structures efficiently. It supports user-defined objects and table inheritance, making it particularly useful for applications that deal with diverse data types and complex relationships.

PostgreSQL excels in handling concurrent tasks (more commonly referred to as concurrency). It achieves this without read locks thanks to its implementation of Multiversion Concurrency Control (MVCC) — which also ensures ACID compliance.

In addition to supporting standard numeric, string and date/time data types, PostgreSQL offers support for geometric shapes, network addresses, bit strings, text searches and JSON entries. This versatility makes PostgreSQL a powerful choice for a wide range of database applications.

Check out this guide to help you migrate from PostgreSQL to SingleStore.

Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. It's designed to meet the data management needs of organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.

SQL Server offers a comprehensive set of features for data storage, retrieval and analysis. It includes tools for business intelligence, analytics and reporting, making it a versatile choice for organizations looking to leverage their data for decision-making.

One of SQL Server's strengths is its integration with other Microsoft products and services. This seamless integration can be particularly beneficial for organizations already using Microsoft technologies in their IT infrastructure.

SQL Server provides strong security features, including encryption, access control and auditing capabilities. These features help organizations protect their sensitive data and comply with various regulatory requirements.

Oracle

Oracle Database is a powerful and feature-rich relational database management system  known for its reliability, scalability and ability to handle large-scale enterprise applications.

Oracle Database offers advanced features for high availability, disaster recovery and performance optimization. It includes tools for managing complex database environments, making it suitable for organizations with demanding data management requirements.

One of Oracle's strengths is its support for various data models within a single database. It can handle relational, object-relational and even some NoSQL data structures — providing flexibility for diverse application needs.

Oracle Database is often chosen for its robust security features, including data encryption, access control and auditing capabilities. These features make it a popular choice in industries with strict data protection requirements, like finance and healthcare.

SingleStore: All your SQL needs in one database

Choosing a SQL database has a significant impact on the success of your data platform. By considering factors including data model, scalability and performance needs, organizations can select a database that aligns with their project requirements and business goals. This thoughtful approach to database selection sets the stage for efficient data management and analysis, enabling businesses to leverage their data effectively.

In the end, the right SQL database empowers organizations to handle their data needs efficiently and securely. Whether it's MySQL's user-friendly nature, PostgreSQL's advanced features, SQL Server's integration capabilities, Oracle's enterprise-level robustness or SingleStore's high-performance distributed architecture, each option offers unique strengths. By understanding these options and matching them with specific project needs, businesses can build a strong foundation for their data-driven initiatives and stay competitive in today's data-centric world.

Get started with migrating your applications and data to the only database you will ever need.

Experience unparalleled speed and scalability with SingleStore, the all-in-one database that seamlessly integrates transactional and analytical workloads, making it the ideal choice for real-time applications. Try it free today.