What SQL does Netflix use?

Netflix uses multiple database technologies, including NoSQL and SQL databases, to manage and store its vast amounts of data. For SQL databases, Netflix primarily uses MySQL in specific use cases, particularly where relational data management is required. However, Netflix leans heavily toward NoSQL databases for its core systems, but SQL still plays an important role in areas like metadata management and transactional systems.

Netflix’s Use of SQL (MySQL)

1. MySQL for Relational Data

Netflix uses MySQL for managing relational data that requires structured storage and transactions. Although NoSQL databases handle the bulk of Netflix's data due to their scalability and flexibility, MySQL remains valuable for certain relational operations.

• Metadata Management: MySQL is used to store and manage metadata related to movies, TV shows, and other content. This could include information about content providers, contracts, or other relational data that fits well into SQL tables.
• Transactional Systems: MySQL is often used in systems where transaction integrity is critical. For example, user subscriptions and billing information may rely on SQL databases because of their support for ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) properties.

2. Why MySQL?

• Structured Data: SQL databases like MySQL excel in handling structured data that requires relationships between tables, making it a suitable choice for transactional data and structured metadata.
• Relational Integrity: MySQL provides strong support for data integrity and relational management, which is essential for certain business-critical applications at Netflix.

Netflix’s Preference for NoSQL

While Netflix does use MySQL for some tasks, the company heavily relies on NoSQL databases like Apache Cassandra and DynamoDB for most of its data storage needs. These databases offer greater flexibility and scalability, which is essential for Netflix’s large, distributed system.

• Apache Cassandra: Netflix uses Cassandra for storing massive amounts of non-relational data, such as user viewing histories, recommendation data, and logs. Cassandra is ideal for handling distributed workloads across multiple regions, ensuring high availability and fault tolerance.
• DynamoDB: Amazon DynamoDB, another NoSQL database, is used for low-latency data retrieval, such as storing session data or metadata related to streaming content.

Conclusion

Netflix uses MySQL for certain applications that require relational data management and transaction integrity, but its primary data storage systems are based on NoSQL technologies like Cassandra and DynamoDB. MySQL is valuable for managing structured data in transactional systems, while NoSQL databases provide the scalability and flexibility needed for Netflix’s large-scale, global operations.