Difference Between Cassandra and RDBMS (With Table)

Many companies need database management for creating, maintaining, and access to databases to store relevant information. A system that creates, maintains, and grants access to the database is known as database management. 

Although features of database management systems vary vastly, the significant features are storage, restoration, and upgrade data. The system offers assistance to administer data efficiently. 

Data may be structured or unstructured as well as related or non-related. And different schema is perverted for further handling. 

RDBMS is identified as the modified underlying database model for relational database management. Also, the updated system, Distributed Database Management system shows additional features. 

One of the database management systems is Cassandra and RDBMS. Cassandra works as a distributed Management system, whereas RDBMS for the relational. 

Cassandra vs RDBMS

The main difference between Cassandra and RDBMS is that Cassandra deals with unstructured data that uses a wide-column store and NoSQL for database management. It is designed to handle massive data across many commodity servers. Although working for enormous data, it provides high availability and no point failure. In contrast, RDBMS deals with structured data using SQL, thereby validating and maintaining a database. 

Cassandra is freely accessible software that administers massive databases across many commodity servers. Data contained by the system is usually unstructured and non-related. Besides, data is not only stored in one physical location but several locations.

RDBMS is a relational database management system that manages data using SQL(structured query language). Generally, it deals with structured and related data. And data is stored in only one location or a few. 

Comparison Table Between Cassandra and RDBMS

Parameters of Comparison 

Cassandra 

RDBMS

Accessibility 

It is freely accessed.

It may or may not be freely accessed.

Location of stored data 

In Cassandra, data can be stored in multiple locations. 

In RDBMS, it can be stored one or a few locations. 

Type of data 

It manages unstructured and non-related data.

It manages structured and related data. 

Type of schema 

In Cassandra, the flexible schema works. 

While in RDBMS, fixed schema works. 

SQL or NoSQL database 

It has NoSQL database management 

It has SQL database management. 

Representation of row 

The unit of replication in Cassandra is row.

While in RDBMS, it represents a single record. 

Representation of column 

A column represents a unit of storage. 

In RDBMS, a column represents the attributes of the relation. 

What is Cassandra?

Cassandra is an open-source and NoSQL database management system. It manages massive unstructured data across various commodity servers. Moreover, other functions include storage and revival of data. 

The data can be handled and replicated across the globe in masterless configuration. Besides being fast and reliable, it also offers high availability, accessibility, and faultless. 

It uses NoSQL for database management. An alternative to the most widely used database management system. Also, it uses tables, rows, and columns, unlike RDBMS. 

Data is not only stored in one single location but in various locations. It can be stored in various locations or interconnected computers spanning a single area. Although, data is organized horizontally and is non-related. 

The language used is Java in Cassandra for making it faster and securable. Also, higher optimization and advanced memory optimization are provided. 

What is RDBMS?

RDBMS is a Relational database management system that uses SQL to deal with unstructured data. The basis of the system is a relational model of data. 

Its basic functionality is dealing with unstructured and related data using structured query language with a fixed schema. Besides, data in RDBMS is dense and defined while it’s assembled vertically. 

RDBMS doesn’t deal with massive amounts of data but deals with a moderate amount of data at average speed. The term “relations” referred to data stored in tables. It sets up the data in such a manner that makes it adjustable, coherent, and spontaneous. Hence, making it more accessible and easy.

Usually, the database of IT companies is relational. Therefore, the majority of IT companies use RDBMS for managing their data. 

RDBMS makes the management and accessibility easier and simpler while setting up the data in an organized, adjustable, and without error. 

Main Differences Between Cassandra and RDBMS

These are some of the most commonly used database management, whereas their functionality and basics are diverse. The main difference is structure, usage of SQL, and relation of data. Cassandra manages unstructured and non-related data using NoSQL, whereas RDBMS deals with structured and related data using SQL. 

  1. Cassandra supports a column-oriented database, whereas RDBMS supports a row-oriented database
  2. Cassandra deals with a massive amount of data, whereas RDBMS deals with a dense amount of data. 
  3. In Cassandra, the stored data is non-related, whereas RDBMS consists of related data. 
  4. Cassandra deals with unstructured data. And in contrast, RDBMS deals with structured data. 
  5. In Cassandra, the flexible schema is used; while in RDBMS, the fixed schema is used. 
  6. Cassandra organized horizontally. RDBMS, on the other hand, is organized vertically.
  7. Cassandra has faster and higher performance than RDBMS. 

Moreover, Cassandra has NoSQL database management, and RDBMS has SQL database management. Even, the location for stored data is different for both. Cassandra stores data in various locations, On the other hand, RDBMS stores in one physical location or few. 

Conclusion

Both Cassandra and RDBMS is a database management system. But, their functions and utilities are different. That makes them different from each other vastly. 

Cassandra manages a massive amount of unstructured and non-related data using NoSQL. It is freely licensed to use and accessible by everyone. Data is created, organized, and managed by the system with higher performance, accessibility and without a point failure. 

Data is stored in multiple locations and can be accessed with masterless configuration. The schema used for organizing data is flexible. 

RDBMS deals with a denser amount of structured and related data using SQL. Some RDBMS are free and accessible. The usage of RDBMS makes it manageable and easy. 

Although, the data is organized vertically. In RDBMS, data is stored in one or a few locations, and the schema used for the organization is fixed. 

Most of the IT companies use RDBMS, while many tech companies use Cassandra. 

References

  1. https://www.dbjournal.ro/archive/16/16_5.pdf