Abstract: This study examines two approaches for achieving field flexibility in library systems using relational databases: column-oriented tables and JSON data types. To evaluate the performance and practicality of flexible schema strategies, a dataset of 41,000 library records was implemented using both column-oriented and JSONB-based schemas in PostgreSQL. Five representative queries based on typical search operations in library applications were executed repeatedly on each model, and average execution times were measured in a controlled environment. Results show that JSONB consistently outperforms the column-oriented approach across all query scenarios, benefiting from reduced structural overhead and more direct access to semi-structured data. However, the flexibility of JSONB introduces risks of inconsistent data structures and reduced schema enforcement compared to the more rigid but uniform column-oriented method. The findings highlight a trade-off between performance and data consistency, suggesting that JSONB is advantageous for dynamic, metadata-rich systems, while column-oriented storage remains preferable when strict structural integrity is required. Future work should explore hybrid models and schema validation layers to combine flexibility with reliable data governance.

Rizal Fathoni Aji and Nilamsari Putri Utami. “Evaluating Field Flexibility Approaches in Relational Databases: A Performance Study of JSON and Column-Oriented Models in Library Systems”. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications (IJACSA) 17.1 (2026). http://dx.doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2026.0170137

@article{Aji2026,
title = {Evaluating Field Flexibility Approaches in Relational Databases: A Performance Study of JSON and Column-Oriented Models in Library Systems},
journal = {International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications},
doi = {10.14569/IJACSA.2026.0170137},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.14569/IJACSA.2026.0170137},
year = {2026},
publisher = {The Science and Information Organization},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
author = {Rizal Fathoni Aji and Nilamsari Putri Utami}
}