What are alternatives to SQL database storage for a web site?

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Steve Hanov picture Steve Hanov · Mar 24, 2009 · Viewed 13.8k times · Source

An SQL database is overkill if your storage needs are small. When I was young and dumb, I used a text file and flock()ed it when I needed to access it. This doesn't scale, but I still feel that non-database solutions have been completely ignored in Web 2.0.

Does anyone not use an SQL database for storage? What are the alternatives?

Answer

vartec picture vartec · Mar 24, 2009

There are a lot of alternatives. But having SQLite which gives you SQL power combined with no fuss of file based storage, there is no need to look for these alternatives. SQLite is light enough to be used in cell phones and MP3 players, so I don't see how it could be considered an overkill.

So unless your application needs something very specific, don't bother. Most alternatives are a lot harder to use and have less performance.

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