This document provides an overview of NoSQL databases by comparing them to SQL databases. It discusses how companies like Google and Facebook needed alternatives to SQL as their data grew tremendously. This led to the development of Google's BigTable database and Facebook's Cassandra. The document outlines some key benefits of NoSQL databases like elastic scaling, handling big data, reduced reliance on DBAs, and more flexible data models. It also compares NoSQL to SQL in areas like ACID properties, the CAP theorem, maturity, support, analytics capabilities, administration, and required expertise.