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SPECIFICTION
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SWC-DB

swcdb.org

Free plan LinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.5 #8 of 22 in Wide-Column Databases

What it is

SWC-DB is a self-hosted Super Wide Column Database that the maker describes as a key-value, wide-column NoSQL and time-series database. It supports SQL, but SQL has no joins, and the system is designed for very large data volumes. Its data model uses cell keys made from lists of fractions with timestamps, with numerous columns rather than tables or namespaces. Data can have automatic or user-defined versions, ordered ascending or descending, with a configurable maximum retained. The maker describes ACID concepts for a single data entry; writes across multiple entries are not atomic as a group. Communications can use SSL, but transaction security also depends on the configured filesystem and clients supporting a secure layer. User-concept access controls are unsupported. A cluster utility can deploy, start and stop distributed clusters. Downloads include tar.xz and Debian packages, with Arch Linux AUR packages also described. SWC-DB is free under GPLv3; commercial-purpose licensing inquiries are invited for uses limited by that license.

Spec sheet

Product
SWC-DB describes itself as a high-performance, scalable Super Wide Column Database.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Deployment
The maker documents a cluster utility with commands to deploy, start and stop a distributed SWC-DB cluster.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Security
The documentation says communications can use SSL, while transaction security also depends on the configured filesystem and clients supporting a secure layer.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Support
The maker directs users to a Google Group for discussions and help, GitHub issues for bugs or feature requests, and lists commercial support contact options.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
License
The maker publishes SWC-DB under GPLv3 and invites inquiries about commercial-purpose licensing when activities are limited by GPLv3.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Founded
2019Read 28 Sep 2026 · swcdb.org
Access control
The maker's feature checklist marks user-concept access controls as unsupported.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Client languages
The Thrift client documentation lists C++, Java, Python, Ruby and C-Glib libraries, plus generated clients for .NET Standard and Rust.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Data model
The documentation identifies SWC-DB as a key-value, wide-column, NoSQL and time-series database.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Downloads
The download page offers tar.xz and Debian packages and describes Arch Linux AUR packages.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Filesystem options
Build options list local, broker, Hadoop JVM, Hadoop and Ceph as built-in filesystem choices.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Keys and columns
Its cell keys are lists of fractions with timestamps, and it has numerous columns without tables or namespaces.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Scale
The maker says the system is designed for yottabytes of data and a quadrillion base of entries.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
SQL
SWC-DB supports SQL, but the maker notes that it has no joins.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Transactions
The maker describes ACID concepts for a single data entry, while multi-entry writes are not atomic as a group.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org
Versions
The maker says data can use automatic or user-defined versions, with ascending or descending order and a configurable maximum to keep.Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org

Plans and prices

SWC-DB Free GPLv3; commercial-purpose licensing inquiries for uses limited by GPLv3 Read 4 Oct 2026 · swcdb.org

Every SWC-DB plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under GPLv3.
  • Documents deployment and control of distributed clusters.
  • Client libraries include C++, Java, Python and Ruby.
  • Supports SQL and horizontal scaling.

Limits

  • SQL does not support joins.
  • Multi-entry writes are not atomic as a group.
  • User-concept access controls are unsupported.
  • Transaction security depends on filesystem and client configuration.

Who it suits

SWC-DB suits teams seeking a self-hosted wide-column database with SQL, multiple client libraries and cluster deployment tools. Its transaction boundaries and lack of user-concept access controls are important design considerations.

Verdict

SWC-DB offers a distinct wide-column data model and deployment tooling for self-hosted use. Its licensing, missing joins and limits on multi-entry atomicity and access controls deserve review before adoption.

Where Specifiction places it

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