What type of database is Amazon Aurora?

Amazon Aurora is a relational database service that is fully compatible with MySQL and PostgreSQL. This means that it supports the same SQL querying language and allows applications that are currently using these databases to migrate to Aurora without making significant changes to the application code.

It offers the benefits of traditional relational databases, such as structured data storage, ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) compliance, and the ability to use complex transactions, while also providing highly scalable and high-performance capabilities. Aurora is designed to take advantage of the cloud environment, offering features like automated backups, replication, and recovery, which enhances data availability and ensures durability.

In contrast, other types of databases, such as NoSQL databases, focus on unstructured or semi-structured data and typically do not support SQL like querying, while document stores store data in documents, often using JSON or BSON formats. A graph database, on the other hand, is specialized for handling data that represents relationships and connections. Therefore, the designation of Amazon Aurora as a relational database that is compatible with MySQL and PostgreSQL highlights its primary functionality and differentiates it from other database types.