(
NOt
SQL) A non-relational database architecture that is used for handling huge amounts of data in the multi-terabyte and petabyte range. Rather than the strict table/row structure of the relational databases that are traditionally used in enterprises, NoSQL databases are field oriented and more flexible for many applications. They are said to scale horizontally, which means that inconsistent amounts of data can be stored in an individual item/record (the equivalent of a relational row). The "not" SQL means that NoSQL databases do not have to support the SQL query language. See
relational database,
NewSQL,
SQL,
MongoDB,
Riak and
big data.