NewSQL is a subset of current RDBMSs designed to match the scalability of NoSQL systems to handle read-write workloads in Online Transaction Processing (OLTP), while maintaining the ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Persistence) feature.

NewSQL is a class of relational database management systems designed to provide the scalability of NoSQL systems for online transaction processing (OLTP) workloads while maintaining the ACID guarantees of traditional database systems. [1][2][3][4]

Many enterprise systems that handle high-profile data (for example, financial and order processing systems) are too large for traditional relational databases, but have transactional and consistency requirements that are impractical for NoSQL systems. [5][6] The only options previously available to these organizations were to purchase more powerful computers or develop custom middleware that distributed requests through traditional DBMSs. Both approaches are characterized by high infrastructure and/or development costs. The NewSQL system attempts to reconcile these conflicts.

The term was first used by 451 Group analyst Matthew Aslett in a 2011 research paper discussing the rise of a new generation of database management systems. [5] One of the earliest NewSQL systems was the H-Store parallel database system.

Two common distinguishing characteristics of NewSQL database solutions are their support for online scalability of NoSQL databases and a relational data model (including ACID consistency) that uses SQL as its primary interface. [11]

What is New SQL?

NewSQL systems can be roughly divided into three categories: