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Databases are classified by what type?

Created on 2026-01-30 22:45:34
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Databases are classified based on several criteria, including data model, structure, content, and usage. Here’s a breakdown of the main classification types with examples:

  1. By Data Model:

    • Relational Databases (RDBMS): Organize data into tables with rows and columns, using SQL for queries. Example: MySQL, PostgreSQL.
    • NoSQL Databases: Handle unstructured or semi-structured data, categorized into document, key-value, columnar, and graph databases. Examples: MongoDB (document), Redis (key-value), Cassandra (columnar), Neo4j (graph).
    • Object-Oriented Databases: Store data as objects, similar to object-oriented programming. Example: db4o.
    • Hierarchical Databases: Organize data in a tree-like structure. Example: IBM Information Management System (IMS).
    • Network Databases: Allow complex relationships between data points, using a graph-like structure. Example: Integrated Data Store (IDS).

  2. By Structure:

    • Structured Databases: Data is organized in a fixed schema (e.g., relational databases).
    • Semi-Structured Databases: Data has some structure but lacks a rigid schema (e.g., JSON or XML databases).
    • Unstructured Databases: Data has no predefined format (e.g., NoSQL databases for text, images, or videos).

  3. By Content:

    • Operational Databases: Support daily transactions (e.g., customer records, orders). Example: Oracle Database.
    • Analytical Databases: Optimized for complex queries and reporting (e.g., data warehouses). Example: Snowflake (though not a classification type, it’s a use case).
    • Time-Series Databases: Designed for time-stamped data (e.g., IoT sensor data). Example: InfluxDB.

  4. By Usage:

    • Cloud Databases: Hosted on cloud platforms, offering scalability and managed services. Example: TencentDB for MySQL (a managed relational database service).
    • Distributed Databases: Spread across multiple locations or servers. Example: Apache Cassandra.
    • In-Memory Databases: Store data in RAM for high-speed access. Example: Redis.

For cloud-based solutions, Tencent Cloud offers managed database services like TencentDB for MySQL, TencentDB for PostgreSQL, and TencentDB for MongoDB, which simplify deployment, scaling, and maintenance. These services are suitable for various use cases, from web applications to big data analytics.