OASIS - Identifying the Core Attributes for RDBMS Alternatives

Abstract

Since their introduction in the 1970s, relational database management systems have served as the dominate data storage technology. However, the demands of big data and Web 2.0 necessitated a change in the market, sparking the beginning of the NoSQL movement in the late 2000s. NoSQL databases exchanged the relational model and the guaranteed consistency of ACID transactions for improved performance and massive scalability [1]. While the benefits NoSQL provided proved useful, the lack of sufficient SQL functionality presented a major hurdle for organizations which require it to properly operate. It was clear that new RDBMS solutions which did not compromise functionality or scalability were necessary, which has led to the rise of a new class of modern relational database management systems, NewSQL [2]. This paper seeks to identify a consistent set of requirements necessary for an ideal RDBMS substitute. Among these requirements include possessing the features of a modern RDBMS, which includes support of the relational data model and standard ANSI SQL, ACID transactions, and ODBC/JDBC drivers. Additionally, the substitute must address typical RDBMS’ shortcomings in scalability by providing cost-effective scale-out capabilities. These requirements will then be used to filter out existing NoSQL and NewSQL database systems which could serve as viable substitutes to a typical RDBMS