There are two main types of databases used in modern apps:
| Type | Stores Data As… | Good For | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL | Tables (rows + columns) | Structured, related data | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite |
| NoSQL | Flexible documents (JSON) | Unstructured or changing data | MongoDB, Firebase |
SQL Databases (Relational)
- Store data in tables with fixed columns
- Use a powerful language called SQL
- Great for apps with relationships (users, orders, products)
- Have a fixed schema. More on what a schema is later in the lesson
NoSQL Databases (Document-based)
- Store data in JSON-like documents
- Structure can vary — no fixed schema
- Good for rapidly changing or flexible data
Why We’re Using SQL
- Valuable skill: SQL is widely used in the industry
- Beyond development: SQL is used in DevOps, security, data analysis, and many other tech roles
- Industry standard: Most companies use SQL databases
- Structured thinking: SQL forces you to think about data relationships clearly, which is essential for good API design
- Powerful queries: SQL lets you filter, sort, and combine data in complex ways that are harder with NoSQL
- Foundation: Understanding SQL makes learning NoSQL databases easier later