This document provides an overview and comparison of relational (SQL) databases and non-relational (NoSQL) databases. It notes that NoSQL databases provide a mechanism for storing and retrieving data with simpler designs that can scale horizontally and provide finer control over availability. NoSQL databases are increasingly used for big data and real-time applications as they can scale to handle large data volumes, have less rigid schemas than SQL databases, and do not require SQL. The document outlines some key characteristics of NoSQL databases and discusses when NoSQL may be preferable to SQL databases, such as when dealing with large amounts of data and users on the internet.