Yes, MongoDB is more of a general-purpose database with lots of features that remind us of relational databases. It is a purpose-built application database for

Yes, MongoDB is more of a general-purpose database with lots of features that remind us of relational databases. It is a purpose-built application database for applications that would otherwise almost certainly be built with a relational database. As they get deeper into their project and find out how some of the trade-offs play-out their self-doubt is always about "should we just go relational" - no one is staying up all night wondering if they should migrate to Riak. If you start out with Riak you almost certainly know why and are using it in a very specific context.