### NoSQL

NoSQL is a collection of data items represented in a **key-value store**, **document store**, **wide column store**, or a **graph database**.  Data is denormalized, and joins are generally done in the application code.  Most NoSQL stores lack true ACID transactions and favor [eventual consistency](#eventual-consistency).

**BASE** is often used to describe the properties of NoSQL databases.  In comparison with the [CAP Theorem](#cap-theorem), BASE chooses availability over consistency.

* **Basically available** - the system guarantees availability.
* **Soft state** - the state of the system may change over time, even without input.
* **Eventual consistency** - the system will become consistent over a period of time, given that the system doesn't receive input during that period.

In addition to choosing between [SQL or NoSQL](#sql-or-nosql), it is helpful to understand which type of NoSQL database best fits your use case(s).  We'll review **key-value stores**, **document stores**, **wide column stores**, and **graph databases** in the next section.

#### Source(s) and further reading: NoSQL

* [Explanation of base terminology](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/3342497/explanation-of-base-terminology)
* [NoSQL databases a survey and decision guidance](https://medium.com/baqend-blog/nosql-databases-a-survey-and-decision-guidance-ea7823a822d#.wskogqenq)
* [Scalability](http://www.lecloud.net/post/7994751381/scalability-for-dummies-part-2-database)
* [Introduction to NoSQL](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI_g07C_Q5I)
* [NoSQL patterns](http://horicky.blogspot.com/2009/11/nosql-patterns.html)