Final answer:
A non-relational query does not require a pre-existing table to run, a characteristic of NoSQL databases which are designed for large volumes of unstructured data, providing flexibility and scalability in data storage and retrieval.
Step-by-step explanation:
A non-relational query does not require a table to exist before the query can run. Unlike traditional relational database systems, non-relational databases, or NoSQL databases, can store, process, and retrieve data without the need for predefined structures.
These databases are designed to manage large volumes of unstructured or semi-structured data, making them ideal for big data and real-time web applications. They allow for more flexible and scalable data models that can accommodate a wide variety of data types and are not limited by a fixed schema.
Some common types of NoSQL databases include document stores, key-value stores, wide-column stores, and graph databases. For instance, MongoDB, a popular document store, allows developers to create and query data without first defining a table structure. The queries are typically written in a database-specific query language that can access data based on the non-relational structures present.