Couchbase unveils N1QL and updates the NoSQL Performance Wars
June 3, 2015
The press releases can be found here
From these spats we can learn that performance really matters for NoSQL databases, which again shows that enterprises are moving their next generation applications into more mission and performance critical use cases than before. And that’s a good sign for enterprises and the industry.
And finally: As useful and important performance tests are – they always struggle on the comparison side. And every customer situation is different, so we recommend to take them as one measurement point, but strongly recommend customers to run their own benchmarks for critical performance pieces.
A new programming language – N1QL – I have been critical on attempts to create new programming languages in the past (see e.g. on SAP River here). In general the world does not need more programming languages, unless they can clearly produce benefits to programmers and application architecture. In the case of N1QL (pronounced Nickel), Couchbase tries to bring SQL to document /JSON formats. That is new and addresses a pain point / tradeoff that had to be made in the past when choosing a database for a next generation application. As N1QL is SQL compatible, Couchbase wants to tap into the large SQL developer ecosystem. The question will be how much understanding of document formats will the SQL developer need to acquire to build performing applications, and how much of that can be automated by the Couchbase framework for the programming language. From the endorsements that Couchbase has garnered in the press release it is clear that there is certainly value being created by N1QL.
I should learn later in San Jose today how Couchbase can show efficiency gains with N1QL and will keep you posted.
Performance Wars – Round 2 – Earlier this week MongoDB published a performance report done by a 3rd party that showed superior performance of MongoDB over Cassandra and Couchbase (see Event Report here). No surprise Couchbase has shot back claiming that performance report is not fully transparent on all aspects of the test and more importantly, that tests show superior performance and TCO for Couchbase. We will be at Couchbase’s user conference later today and certainly learn more on the topic.From these spats we can learn that performance really matters for NoSQL databases, which again shows that enterprises are moving their next generation applications into more mission and performance critical use cases than before. And that’s a good sign for enterprises and the industry.
And finally: As useful and important performance tests are – they always struggle on the comparison side. And every customer situation is different, so we recommend to take them as one measurement point, but strongly recommend customers to run their own benchmarks for critical performance pieces.
MyPOV
A good start for Couchbase Connect, Couchbase also unveiled the preview of its 4.0 server – so there will be lots of things to talk about at the 49ers stadium in Santa Clara for the next days. Stay tuned.
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Holger Mueller is VP and Principal Analyst for Constellation Research for the fundamental enablers of the cloud, IaaS, PaaS and next generation Applications, with forays up the tech stack into BigData and Analytics, HR Tech, and sometimes SaaS. Holger provides strategy and counsel to key clients, including Chief Information Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Product Officers, Chief HR Officers, investment analysts, venture capitalists, sell-side firms, and technology buyers.<br>
Coverage Areas:
Future of Work
Tech Optimization & Innovation<br>
Background:
Before joining Constellation Research, Mueller was VP of Products for NorthgateArinso, a KKR company. There, he led the transformation of products to the cloud and laid the foundation for new Business…
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June 03, 2015
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