Apache Cassandra v1.2 adds dense cluster support to NoSQL database

The Apache Software Foundation didnt wait long to grant their first release of 2013: NoSQL database Apache Cassandra gets an update
After last year’s unprecedented success, the Apache
Software Foundation haven’t waited long to announce their first
release of 2013, with column-oriented database Apache Cassandra
receiving a big update.
Apache Cassandra v1.2’s big highlight is the introduction of
support for dense clusters, making it far easier to power multiple
terabytes per node. Also included in the latest version of the
distributed database is simplified application modeling and
“improving data cell storage/design/representation” to make scaling
petabytes of data that much easier.
In a press release, Jonathan Ellis, Vice President of Apache
Cassandra said that the database “continues to be a
leading option for scalability and high availability without
compromising performance” and the improvements provided within v1.2
“reinforces our commitment to growth while preserving backwards
compatibility.”
The first release since April 2012 also includes the latest
version of Cassandra’s own query language, CQL3, which uses syntax
similar to SQL to make the transition of using Cassandra easier for
newcomers.
“It’s great to see the core of Apache Cassandra continue to
evolve,” said independent software developer Kelly Sommers. “In
Cassandra v1.2 the introduction of vnodes will simplify managing
clusters while improving performance when adding and rebuilding
nodes. v1.2 also includes many new features, performance
improvements and further heap reduction to eleviate [sic] the
burden on the JVM garbage collector.”
Originally developed by Facebook back in 2008, the NoSQL
solution has gained a strong community backing since arriving at
Apache in 2009. It graduated as a Top-Level Project from the Apache
Incubator in February 2010 and has made it into a wide variety of
enterprise environments including the likes of Disney, eBay, IBM,
Netflix and Twitter.
More than 12 months have passed since Apache Cassandra’s first major version and while the latest release may not be as groundbreaking as then, it shows the team’s dedication into making it one of the most highly performant and scalable databases of its kind.