🧩 Types of Databases

Understanding Databases in Web Development

Databases are categorized based on how data is structured and accessed. The most common types include:

1. Relational Databases (SQL)

These databases organize data into tables consisting of rows and columns. Each table is related to others through primary and foreign keys.

Examples:

MySQL – Popular, open-source, widely used with PHP and WordPress.
PostgreSQL – Advanced SQL database known for performance and data integrity.
MariaDB – A fork of MySQL, compatible and open-source.
SQLite – Lightweight, file-based database often used in mobile and small apps.
Microsoft SQL Server – Enterprise-level database for business applications.
Oracle Database – High-performance commercial database for enterprise use.

2. Non-Relational Databases (NoSQL)

These databases do not use tables but instead use formats like documents, key-value pairs, graphs, or columns.

Examples:

MongoDB – Document-based (JSON-like) database, ideal for scalable applications.
Redis – Key-value in-memory database, used for caching and real-time systems.
Cassandra – Distributed NoSQL for handling large data across multiple servers.
Firebase Realtime Database – Cloud-hosted NoSQL solution by Google.