Objective

To gain hands-on experience with four distinct NoSQL database models (Key-Value, Columnar, Document, and Graph) and to understand the specific use cases and architectural trade-offs associated with each.

A Quick Word of Encouragement: This will be our longest and most diverse lab. We are going to move quickly through four different types of NoSQL databases. The goal is not to become an expert in any single one, but to experience firsthand how their different data models feel and what kinds of problems they are designed to solve. Don't worry about mastering every command; focus on the core concepts and the "aha!" moments.

Start Where You Are

In Lab D, you worked extensively with the relational model, where data is organized into structured tables with rows and columns. That is the foundation for a vast number of applications.

Now, we will explore the "post-genre" world of NoSQL. Think back to Chapter 3, where we saw different data formats like CSV, JSON, and hierarchical text. NoSQL databases are built to store and query data in these alternative formats, often prioritizing scale and flexibility over the strict consistency of traditional relational systems. Each model you interact with today is a different answer to the question: "What is the most efficient way to organize this specific type of data?"

For this lab, your submission will consist only of the required screenshots, your response to one of the reflection questions, and a brief paragraph on your overall experience.

Part A: The Key-Value Store with Redis

We begin with the simplest model: the key-value store. It functions like a massive, distributed dictionary or luggage tag system. You have a unique key, and you store a value. It's incredibly fast and scalable.

Step 1: Sign Up for a Free Redis Account:

• Navigate to the Redis Cloud Free Tier page and sign up for an account. You can use your Google or GitHub account to make this faster.
• When you log in, you will be presented with the option to pick a subscription type. Follow the prompts to select a Free (fixed size) subscription. You can keep the default cloud provider (e.g., AWS) and region.
• When you select Free you will be taken to name the database. Give it the name fnamelnamelabe and click ‘Create’. It will take a few moments for the database to be initialized.
• When the green checkmark loads, you will be provided with a Public endpoint URL. Note this information for the optional advanced lab, but you wont need it for this lab.

Step 2: Add Data Using the Redis Insight Tool:

• From your database dashboard, click the "Connect" button and select "Launch Redis Insight Web." This will open a browser-based tool for interacting with your database.

• At the bottom of the page, you will see the ‘cloud shell’ icon you should be familiar with by now >_ In the command-line interface at the bottom, use the SET command to add your first piece of data. This command sets a string value for a given key.

  SET user:101:session "ab3e4fe91a"

• Now, retrieve that data using the GET command.

  GET user:101:session