# FAQ

# GridDB Fundamentals

# What is GridDB?

GridDB is a time series database best suited for Big Data and IoT (Internet of Things). GridDB is designed to handle time-sensitive IoT data across numerous sensors while maintaining consistency and durability.

# Compared to other NoSQL databases, what are GridDB’s main advantages?

GridDB has the unique ability to handle IoT (Internet of Things) data thanks to its Key-Container data model. The time-series container’s functionality in manipulating incoming time-based data from sensors ensure that GridDB will be the most well-equipped NoSQL Database in handling IoT data. GridDB is also blazingly fast.

# What makes GridDB so fast?

GridDB utilizes a “Memory first, Storage second” structure. “Hot” data is kept in-memory, allowing for much faster writes/reads on the most-used data.

# Does GridDB support SQL?

Yes, GridDB supports SQL-92 and TQL, an SQL-like query language.

# Does GridDB support transactions?

Yes, they are supported on a container-basis, meaning GridDB containers are ACID-compliant.

# What is ACID?

GridDB being ACID compliant means that database transactions abide by each of the rules in the acronym:

  • Atomicity: all transactions are all or nothing
  • Consistency: all data changes must abide by rules set forth by administrator
  • Isolation: transactions are committed serially (one after the other)
  • Durability: ensures data is always safe by ensuring transactions stay committed.

# Data Model

# What is a Container?

To make things easier to visualize, you can think of Containers as a Relational DB table, complete with columns and rows. GridDB has two differents kinds of Containers: Collection and Time-Series. Collection Containers handles more traditional data (Strings, Booleans, Arrays, etc), whereas Time-Series Containers are equipped to handle time-stamp data. Since these Containers function like tables, each Container has its own schema.

# What is a Row?

Similar to the RDB data model, a Row a flat piece of data which abides by the schema set in place by the container. A Row can have a key, but it is not mandatory.

# Network

# Does GridDB work on public cloud environment?

Yes.

# Memory and Storage

# Can I mix different nodes in GridDB cluster?

GridDB OSS v4.5 supports single-node setup only.

# Others

# GridDB Licensing

The server source license is GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL), while the Java client library license and the operational commands is Apache License, version 2.0.

# There is something not in the FAQ that I need to ask.

You can ask your questions on Stackoverflow (opens new window). One of our engineers will gladly answer