Couchbase Inc. yesterday released version 4.0 of its Couchbase Server NoSQL database, introducing a new SQL-compatible query language that expands the potential use cases of the platform and, according to the company, gives it the edge over rival databases offered by companies like MongoDB Inc.

The NoSQL space is hot right now, with the technology’s suitability for Big Data generated by the Internet of Things and smartphones driving rapid market adoption. But NoSQL is not without its problems, and Couchbase says one of the biggest its identified is that most databases rely solely on the JSON programming language to query unstructured data. This means popular SQL query languages designed for structured data on traditional relational databases cannot be used, but Couchbase’s new release makes it possible thanks to its incorporation of N1QL, a new query language that is compatible with SQL.

Couchbase believes that the popularity of SQL makes it one of the best ways to query data and grab fast, actionable insights, and that’s why it’s decided to make it possible. Writing in InfoWorld, Serdar Yegulalp explains that NiQL (pronounced “nickel”) uses commands specific to JSON documents that extend SQL syntax. It leverages JSON to nest data within a single document or leverage N1QL to model and query data that is stored across multiple documents.

For now, Couchbase is only looking at making its database compatible with SQL ’92, which means more powerful SQL syntax and transactions are not supported. However, it does provide some useful developer functionality, such as the EXPLAIN keyword that describes how query optimizers process a statement. Couchbase also said it’s planning to add transaction support and other features in due course.

Of course, Couchbase isn’t the only NoSQL provider to offer an SQL-based query language. MongoDB has its soon-to-be-released SQL connector, but it lacks certain features like being able to perform JOINs. Cassandra’s CQL also lacks this ability.

Couchbase Server 4.0 with N1QL provides other advantages too, such as support for SQL-based data visualization tools like Microsoft Excel, Tableau, Qlik and more.

Ravi Mayuram, senior vice president of products and engineering at Couchbase described the release as a “transformational” one, because it dramatically increases the types of use cases Couchbase can support.

“With innovations such as a our new SQL-based query language, N1QL, and foundational improvements like Global Secondary Indexes, Multi-Dimensional Scaling and Cross Datacenter Replication, we are providing enterprises the breadth of functionality they need to deploy a single distributed database under the majority of their Web, mobile and IoT applications,” Mayuram said.

Those wishing to take a look at Couchbase 4.0 can download it from the company’s website here. More information from Couchbase is available at its developer’s portal here.

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