What type of database is CosmosDB?

CosmosDB is classified as a NoSQL database, which is a significant aspect of its design and functionality. This classification indicates that CosmosDB is built to handle large volumes of unstructured data, allowing for flexible data models and quick scalability. Unlike traditional relational databases that use structured query language (SQL) to manage data in a fixed schema, NoSQL databases like CosmosDB support various data formats including documents, key-value pairs, wide-column stores, and graphs.

The NoSQL nature of CosmosDB allows for dynamic schemas, which means that users can store data without a predefined structure, making it exceedingly adaptable for applications that require rapid iterations, varied data types, or frequent changes to data models. This capability is essential for many applications in the Internet of Things (IoT) space, where the ability to handle diverse data streams effectively is crucial.

Furthermore, while CosmosDB can function as a document store and support graph data structures, its primary designation as a NoSQL database encompasses these functionalities while emphasizing its overall architecture and the flexibility it provides for handling data at scale.