The world of NoSQL and alternative database implementations (i.e. non-relational) is deeply fascinating to me. I can’t help but be swept up in the whirl of planet-scale web development scalability techniques and the evolution of how developers think about building their applications knowing that with success comes the inevitable need to scale to levels almost unimaginable just five or ten years ago. I’m going to make a prediction: Developers will be expected to understand the fundamentals of how different database systems can be applied within a singular application; their strengths and weaknesses, and when it is appropriate to leverage them.