Chapter 4. NoSQL data architecture patterns

...no pattern is an isolated entity. Each pattern can exist in the world only to the extent that is supported by other patterns: the larger patterns in which it is embedded, the patterns of the same size that surround it, and the smaller patterns which are embedded in it.

Christopher Alexander, A Timeless Way of Building

One of the challenges for users of NoSQL systems is there are many different architectural patterns from which to choose. In this chapter, we’ll introduce the most common high-level NoSQL data architecture patterns, show you how to use them, and give you some real-world examples of their use. We’ll close out the chapter by looking at some NoSQL pattern variations such as RAM and distributed stores.

Table 4.1 lists the significant data architecture patterns associated with the NoSQL movement.

4.1. Key-value stores

4.2. Graph stores

4.3. Column family (Bigtable) stores

4.4. Document stores

4.5. Variations of NoSQL architectural patterns

4.6. Summary

4.7. Further reading