Standard for open-source document databases

[vdweij]

I'm looking for some more information regarding the below statement:

DocumentDB is the first implementation of the project’s more ambitious mission to create a standard for open-source document databases, much like the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) SQL standard for relational databases.

Source: Blog post

It would be great to have an ANSI like equivelant. Currently I consider the MongoDB API to be the de facto standard.

Is it the intention to lift the DocumentDB API to that ANSI-like level or will there be a new one as a result of cooperations between the large players in this area?

I'm aware of FerretDB, but that is yet another additional component in the chain...

[ptrfarkas]

FerretDB maintainer here. The original intent is to get to a similar standard as SQL is for relational databases. The initiative at www.opendocdb.org is about creating the industry-wide cooperation to make that happen, and there is appetite in the wider industry to do just that.

Rather than being another component, Microsoft's DocumentDB and FerretDB strengthened the foundation for a standard, as we combined the behavior and feature set of two alternatives for MongoDB, instead of developing it separately. We hope for, and do se appetite for further cooperation between other alternatives to do the same.

Check out www.opendocdb.org for further info on how we imagine this to happen.

[vdweij]

Strangely enough I haven't come accross this awesome initiative before.

So, as I understand correctly OpenDocDB is attempting to create an open, vendor-neutral standard for MongoDB-like document stores for which they are now still 'following' the MongoDB API, and eventually, when there is enough traction, hope to lead instead.

I cannot find any statements from Microsoft or rather DocumentDB that they are committed to OpenDocDB however...

[safern]

@abinav2307 FYI.

[patty-chow]

Hi @vdweij, great question. Yes, the MongoDB API is currently the de facto standard. Our longer-term goal is to help shape an open, vendor-neutral standard for document databases, similar to ANSI SQL for relational systems.

We’re not looking to create a new API just for the sake of it, but rather to collaborate with the community and other projects (like FerretDB) toward a shared spec. Whether that becomes a formal standard or a consensus-driven spec is still evolving, and we’d love to involve others in shaping that direction.

If this is something you’re interested in contributing to, feel free to drop ideas here or open another discussion.