Databases
Using Python & Javascript with Firebase
- Firebase Database
- NoSQL Realtime Database
- Managed by Google
- Accessible via the Internet
- Compatible with Python, Javascript, etc...
- Data stored in the cloud
- Multi-User
- Can handle real-time update etc. Concurrency, Deadlock
- Some GDPR issues due to location of servers...
- ... but a fine for simple (educational) data storage and retrieval
Comparing Firebase and MySQL
- Firebase
- Firebase is a cloud-based NoSQL database. Data is stored and processed in the cloud
- Firebase is suitable for real-time application.
- Firebase is only available on GCP (Google Cloud Platform). It is owned by Google.
-
In Firebase any key/field can be added easily without affecting the existing design.
-
MySQL
- MySQL is a relational database management system (RDBMS)
- MySQL mostly used for relationaly data and transactions.
- MySQL installs it anywhere and several clouds provide support managed version of it.
- MySQL not so flexible design-wise, New Column insertion may affect the design.
| MySQL | Firebase | |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Relational (SQL) database | Non-relational (NoSQL) database |
| Design | Based on Tables | Based on Collections and Documents |
| Scalability | Vertical (Rows) Add CPUs, Memory, etc. | Horizontal - Scale-out over a cluster |
| Model | Detailed Model required | Less detail needed |
| Community | Huge Community | Smaller but growing |
| Standardisation | Based on SQL | No standard query language |
| Schema | Rigid Schema | Dynamic Schema |
| Flexibility | Design is Less Flexible | Design more Flexible |
| pg281 Q4 |