About this Book
In writing this book, we had two goals: first, to describe NoSQL databases, and second, to show how NoSQL systems can be used as standalone solutions or to augment current SQL systems to solve business problems. We invite anyone who has an interest in learning about NoSQL to use this book as a guide. You’ll find that the information, examples, and case studies are targeted toward technical managers, solution architects, and data architects who have an interest in learning about NoSQL.
This material will help you objectively evaluate SQL and NoSQL database systems to see which business problems they solve. If you’re looking for a programming guide for a particular product, you’ve come to wrong place. In this book you’ll find information about the motivations behind NoSQL, as well as related terminology and concepts. There might be sections and chapters of this book that cover topics you already understand; feel free to skim or skip over them and focus on the unknown.
Finally, we feel strongly about and focus on standards. The standards associated with SQL systems allow applications to be ported between databases using a common language. Unfortunately, NoSQL systems can’t yet make this claim. In time, NoSQL application vendors will pressure NoSQL database vendors to adopt a set of standards to make them as portable as SQL.
This book is divided into four parts. Part 1 sets the stage by defining NoSQL and reviewing the basic concepts behind the NoSQL movement.