SQL vs NoSQL Databases at Scale: Lee Atchinson & Dor Laor’s Take

The podcast discussion between Lee Atchison and Dor Laor explores the decision-making process for choosing between SQL and NoSQL databases, emphasizing the importance of understanding workload requirements and anticipated usage patterns. They note that SQL databases are preferable for smaller workloads with high flexibility and query capabilities, while NoSQL databases are better suited for high-performance, large-scale applications requiring active-active setups and high availability. The conversation highlights the challenges and considerations in transitioning between different database models, such as moving from relational databases like MySQL to NoSQL options like Cassandra or ScyllaDB, and introduces the concept of NewSQL and Distributed SQL as alternatives. The discussion also examines specific performance tests comparing ScyllaDB to a Distributed SQL option, showcasing ScyllaDB's superior throughput and latency in handling massive data volumes.