MySQL vs RethinkDB: What are the differences?

Introduction

MySQL and RethinkDB are both popular database management systems, but they have key differences in terms of functionality and design. In this Markdown code, we will highlight six of these differences in a concise and specific manner.

1. Data Model: MySQL follows a traditional relational data model, utilizing structured tables with predefined schemas consisting of rows and columns. On the other hand, RethinkDB adopts a schema-less approach called a document data model, where data is stored as flexible JSON-like documents within collections.

2. Real-time Capabilities: RethinkDB distinguishes itself by natively supporting real-time change feeds. Developers can subscribe to these feeds and receive updates in real-time whenever changes occur in the database. MySQL, however, does not provide such built-in functionality, requiring extra effort to achieve real-time capabilities.

3. Horizontal Scaling: MySQL primarily relies on vertical scaling, which involves adding more computing power to a single server to handle increased workloads. RethinkDB, in contrast, offers built-in support for horizontal scaling, enabling data distribution across multiple machines to improve performance and handle larger workloads.

4. Query Language: MySQL employs Structured Query Language (SQL) as its primary query language, a widely adopted standard for managing and querying relational databases. On the other hand, RethinkDB provides its own query language called ReQL (RethinkDB Query Language), which is specifically designed to manipulate and retrieve data from JSON-like documents.

5. Fault Tolerance: RethinkDB provides automatic data replication and distribution, ensuring fault tolerance and high availability by default. When a server fails, it automatically replicates and redistributes data across other servers in the cluster. MySQL, in contrast, requires additional configuration and setup to achieve fault tolerance.

6. Consistency Model: MySQL follows an ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) consistency model, where data is ensured to be consistent and predictable at all times. RethinkDB utilizes a more relaxed, 'eventually consistent' model, which provides high availability and low latency at the cost of ensuring immediate consistency.

In Summary, MySQL and RethinkDB differ in terms of their data model, real-time capabilities, scalability options, query languages, fault tolerance mechanisms, and consistency models.