What type of database does NoSQL provide mechanisms for?

NoSQL databases are specifically designed to handle a wide variety of data storage and retrieval models that differ from traditional relational databases. They encompass multiple data structures such as key-value pairs, document stores, wide-column stores, and graph databases, which are all classified as non-relational. This flexibility allows NoSQL databases to scale horizontally and accommodate unstructured or semi-structured data, which is increasingly common in applications dealing with vast amounts of variable data, such as in the Internet of Things (IoT).

This focus on non-relational models makes NoSQL particularly advantageous for scenarios where traditional schemas are too rigid or complex to manage efficiently, especially when dealing with large volumes of diverse data types. The ability to process and store data without the constraints of a predefined schema allows developers to adapt more readily to changing data requirements and enables innovative data handling approaches.