Cassandra Data Modeling Essential Training

Course details

Cassandra is a NoSQL database capable of handling large amounts of data that change rapidly. In this course, instructor Dan Sullivan teaches you about the architecture of this popular database and how to design Cassandra data models that support scalable applications in the latest release.

Explore the core differences between Cassandra and relational databases, as well as the basics of the Cassandra Query Language (CQL) and modeling best practices based on application query requirements. Dan dives into Cassandra implementation details that impact data modeling choices, helping you sift through other design decisions, while staying mindful of the database's architecture and limitations. Along the way, test out your new skills with the design and modeling challenges at the end of each section.

Concepts

Introduction

Designing data models in Cassandra
What you should know
Exercise files

Cassandra Architecture

Cassandra and relational databases
Keyspaces, tables, rows, and columns
Primary keys and secondary indexes
Cassandra clusters
Challenge - Design a table for a mobile app
Solution - Design a table for a mobile app

Installing Cassandra

Install Cassandra
Creating a keyspace and table

Cassandra Query Language Data Types

Numeric data types
String, date, and unique types
Collection data types
Tuple data types
Working with JSON
Challenge - Choose the correct data types
Solution - Choose the correct data types

Designing Cassandra Tables

Queries drive design
Denormalizing - Joining or sorting
Tuning tables to optimize queries
Data modeling for time series
Challenge - Define a time series table
Solution - Define a time series table

Additional Table Features

Secondary indexes
Materialized views
Virtual tables
Challenge - Create materialized view
Solution - Create materialized view

Physical Data Modeling and Distributing Data

Estimating data size formulas
Example of estimating data size
Replication in Cassandra
Understanding consistency levels
Challenge - Size a table
Solution - Size a table

Cassandra Architecture and Its Impact on Data Modeling

Understand the query process
Understand commit writes
Bloom filters and query processing
Understand deletes and tombstones
Understand compaction
Challenge - Diagnose performance problem
Solution - Diagnose performance problem

Conclusion

Five best practices for Cassandra data modeling