Being old school (or basically just old) I think that SQL is a fundamental skill that testers need to have. I don’t think that testers need to know how to code, but I do think that any tester working in a data based solution needs to know how to interrogate a database effectively. That’s why I was keen to read about NoSQL, I thought it was the next big thing in data management.
I have found out that NoSQL in fact does not mean “No” SQL it actually stands for “not only” SQL. This means databases that are structured differently to the tabular structures of relational databases. NoSQL data is stored based on usage profiles, key return information structured to provide fast feedback to users. There are all sorts of structures for the data which I find fascinating! I cannot wait to explore these more.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NoSQL
Now based on my limited knowledge I could see that NoSQL data management might seem appealing as a solution to the huge demand for fast returns to common queries. The variety of data structures that NoSQL offers is astonishing and I found the concepts behind it fascinating! I was keen to explore more and then I read about “NewSQL”!
I’m not sure if my head actually exploded or imploded! Here I was learning about the “latest and greatest” and then I found out that I was way behind the times! “NewSQL” is designed to help those organisations who want to have the quick return times of NoSQL but still need the structure and data management frameworks of more traditional relational databases. I’m sure I don’t 100% understand it – but I do know that I am going to have lots of fun learning about it!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NewSQL
Bottom line though…these are important changes in our industry and as a tester, it is important for us to keep up to date as much as we can. I do feel a bit empowered based on my knowledge of SQL though. Having a fundamental understanding of data storage and structures allows people to understand the implications and ramifications of these new-fangled approaches to data and data management.
Post by Sharon Robson