The multi-model databases - A review

Abstract

The following paper presents issues considering multi-model databases. A multi-model database can be understood as a database which is capable of storing data in different formats (relations, documents, graphs, objects, etc.) under one management system. This makes it possible to store related data in a most appropriate (dedicated) format as it comes to the structure of data itself and the processing performance. The idea is not new but since its rising in late 1980s it was not successfully and widely put into practice. The realm of storing and retrieving the data was dominated by the relational model. Nowadays this idea becomes again up-to-date because of the growing popularity of NoSQL movement and polyglot persistence. This article attempts to show the state-of-the-art in multi-model databases area and possibilities of this reconditioned idea.