Introduction to Apache Cassandra
With no single point of failure and the capacity to manage massive volumes of data across numerous commodity servers, Apache Cassandra is a distributed database that is extremely scalable and efficient. It belongs to the NoSQL database family. In this article, let’s discuss briefly about Apache Cassandra along with its various benefits. Learn Apache Cassandra Course in Chennai and become a master in Database Administration.
NoSQL Database
A NoSQL database, often known as a Not Only SQL database, offers a method for storing and retrieving data in addition to the tabular relationships found in relational databases. These databases can manage enormous volumes of data, offer simple replication, have a simple API, and are schema-free.
A NoSQL database’s primary goal is to have
- Horizontal scaling
- Greater availability management
- Ease of design
When compared to relational databases, NoSQL databases employ alternative data architectures. It speeds up a few NoSQL processes. The problem that a specific NoSQL database must address determines whether it is appropriate.
NoSQL vs Relational Database
The features that set a relational database apart from a NoSQL database are listed as follows
| Relational Database | NoSQL Database |
| Strong query language support. | Very basic query language is supported |
| It follows a set structure. | No set structure. |
| Follows ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, and Durability). | It is only “ultimately consistent.” |
| Facilitates transactions. | Not compatible with transactions. |
We have the following NoSQL databases that are well-known in addition to Cassandra:
Apache HBase : It is a Java-based, distributed, non-relational open-source database that is based on Google‘s BigTable. It is created as a component of the Apache Hadoop project and operates on top of HDFS, giving Hadoop features like BigTable.
MongoDB : It is a cross-platform document-oriented database system that forgoes the use of the conventional table-based relational database structure in favor of JSON-like documents with dynamic schemas, facilitating and speeding up the integration of data in specific types of applications.
What is Apache Cassandra?
An open source, distributed, and decentralized/distributed storage system (database) called Apache Cassandra is used to manage extremely huge volumes of structured data dispersed over the globe. It offers services that are highly accessible and have no single point of failure.
The following are some of Apache Cassandra’s noteworthy features:
- It is consistent, fault-tolerant, and scalable.
- Column-Oriented Database
- Its data model is built on Google’s Bigtable, while its distribution strategy is based on Amazon’s Dynamo.
- It was developed at Facebook and significantly varies from relational database management systems.
- Cassandra offers a more potent “column family” data architecture while implementing a replication approach a la Dynamo with no single point of failure.
- Some of the top firms, like Facebook, Twitter, Cisco, Rackspace, eBay, Netflix, and more, utilize Cassandra.
Significant Features of Apache Cassandra
Cassandra’s remarkable technological features are the reason it has gained such a following. Some of Cassandra’s characteristics are listed below:
Elastic Scalability : Cassandra is very scalable; when needed, new hardware may be added to handle more customers and data.
Business-critical applications : that cannot afford a failure rely on Cassandra’s always-on architecture since it has no single point of failure and is always available.
Fast linear scaling : Cassandra is linearly scalable, which implies that throughput rises as the number of nodes in the cluster does. It maintains a quick response time as a result.
Cassandra supports all conceivable data forms, including structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data. Depending on your needs, it may dynamically adapt to changes in your data structures. Simple data distribution By replicating data across various data centers, Cassandra gives you the freedom to distribute data where you need it.
Cassandra supports atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability as well as other transaction-related attributes (ACID). Fast writes Cassandra was made to function on low-cost, common hardware. It can store hundreds of terabytes of data and execute lightning-fast writes without degrading read efficiency.
History of Cassandra
- Facebook created Cassandra for inbox search.
- Facebook released the source code in July 2008.
- In March 2009, Cassandra was approved for the Apache Incubator.
- Since February 2010, it has become a top-level project inside Apache.
Conclusion
Since Cassandra is the only database with the so-called Tuneable consistency model, you may configure it either for availability or consistency and unlike other databases, Cassandra can operate in both modes. Cassandra is employed in social media rather than for building banking or financial systems. In Cassandra, neither OLTP nor payment models are permitted. Enroll in the Best Cassandra Training in Chennai at Softlogic Systems.
