Cassandra

Definition

Cassandra is a highly scalable, distributed NoSQL database designed to handle large amounts of data across many commodity servers, providing high availability with no single point of failure. It is particularly well-suited for applications requiring fast write and read performance, and it supports a flexible data model that can adapt to changing application needs.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cassandra was developed at Facebook to handle large amounts of data across multiple servers and was released as an open-source project in 2008.
2. It uses a peer-to-peer architecture, meaning all nodes are equal and can handle both read and write requests, which enhances fault tolerance.
3. Cassandra employs a unique data model based on tables, where each row can have a different number of columns, allowing for dynamic schema design.
4. The database is optimized for high write throughput and can handle petabytes of data with ease while maintaining low latency.
5. Cassandra's replication strategy allows for data to be replicated across multiple nodes and data centers, ensuring durability and availability even in the event of node failures.

Review Questions

• How does Cassandra's architecture contribute to its high availability and fault tolerance?
  • Cassandra's peer-to-peer architecture allows every node to be equal, meaning that there is no single point of failure. This design means that if one node goes down, other nodes can continue to operate without disruption. Additionally, Cassandra's replication strategy enables data to be stored on multiple nodes, so even if some nodes fail, the data remains accessible from other nodes, ensuring high availability for applications relying on real-time data access.
• Discuss the advantages of using Cassandra for applications that require a flexible data model compared to traditional relational databases.
  • Cassandra's flexible data model allows for different rows in the same table to have varying columns, which is not possible in traditional relational databases with fixed schemas. This feature enables developers to adapt quickly to changing application requirements without needing complex schema migrations. As applications evolve, new attributes can be added easily, making Cassandra a better fit for scenarios where data structures are likely to change over time or where unstructured data needs to be accommodated.
• Evaluate how Cassandra's scalability features position it as an optimal choice for big data applications in various industries.
  • Cassandra’s scalability features make it an ideal choice for big data applications across different industries by allowing seamless addition of nodes to handle increased loads without downtime. Its ability to distribute data across multiple servers ensures that performance remains consistent even as data volumes grow significantly. Moreover, its architecture supports horizontal scaling, making it cost-effective since organizations can use commodity hardware rather than expensive specialized servers. This positions Cassandra as a go-to solution for businesses looking to leverage large datasets efficiently while maintaining high performance.

Related terms

NoSQL: A category of database management systems that do not use the traditional relational database structure, allowing for more flexible and scalable data storage solutions.

Distributed Database: A database that is not stored in a single location but is spread across multiple locations or servers, improving accessibility and fault tolerance.

Data Model: The structure that dictates how data is stored, organized, and manipulated in a database system, including schemas and relationships between data entities.