CST363: Introduction to Database, Week 7

Compare MongoDB with MySQL. 
What are some similarities? 
What are some differences? 
When would you choose one over the other? 

MySQL is a relational database that stores data in structured tables with predefined schemas, while MongoDB is a NoSQL document-based database that stores data in flexible JSON-like documents.

Both can handle large amounts of data, support indexing, and allow developers to query, insert, update, and delete data efficiently. They also both offer replication, sharding, and high availability, which makes them reliable options for production systems.

The biggest difference is in how they organize and scale data. MySQL enforces strict schemas, relationships, and constraints, which makes it ideal for applications that depend on consistency and structured data. MongoDB, on the other hand, allows dynamic schemas and nested documents, making it better suited for projects where data structure may change over time.

If I needed strict data relationships, I’d use MySQL. For more flexibility and easier changes with unstructured data, I’d use MongoDB.