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What is the difference between relational and non-relational databases?

Relational databases (RDBMS) and non-relational databases (NoSQL) differ primarily in their data models, structure, and scalability.

Relational databases use tables with fixed rows and columns, where data is stored in a structured format with predefined schemas. They enforce relationships between tables using keys, such as primary and foreign keys. This structure allows for complex queries and transactions. Examples include MySQL, PostgreSQL, and Oracle Database.

Example: In a relational database for an e-commerce store, you might have separate tables for customers, orders, and products, linked by foreign keys.

Non-relational databases, on the other hand, offer more flexibility in data storage. They do not require a fixed schema, allowing for unstructured or semi-structured data. They are often used for handling large volumes of data with high scalability and performance. Examples include MongoDB, Cassandra, and Redis.

Example: In a non-relational database for the same e-commerce store, you might store customer information, order details, and product data in a single collection, with each document containing all relevant information.

For cloud-based solutions, Tencent Cloud offers services like TencentDB for MySQL and PostgreSQL (relational databases) and TencentDB for MongoDB (a non-relational database), providing scalable and reliable database solutions.