what is nosql database

NoSQL (Not Only SQL) is an approach to database design that provides a mechanism for storage and retrieval of data that is modeled in means other than the tabular relations used in relational databases. NoSQL databases are non-tabular databases that store data differently than relational tables. They come in a variety of types based on their data model, including document, key-value, wide-column, and graph. NoSQL databases provide flexible schemas and scale easily with large amounts of data and high user loads. They are widely recognized for their ease of development, functionality, and performance at scale. Unlike relational databases, NoSQL databases do not require a schema, which offers rapid scalability to manage large and typically unstructured data sets. NoSQL databases are increasingly used in big data and real-time web applications. The particular suitability of a given NoSQL database depends on the problem it must solve.