Introduction

In the world of modern application development, efficient data storage and retrieval are paramount. MongoDB, a NoSQL database, has gained immense popularity for its flexibility, scalability, and ease of use. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of installing MongoDB and provide some basic code examples to get you started.

Chapter 1: Installation of MongoDB

A. Prerequisites

Before we dive into the installation process, let's make sure you have the necessary prerequisites:

1. Operating System: MongoDB supports various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Ensure you are using a compatible operating system.

2. Package Manager (Optional): On Linux, it's helpful to have a package manager like apt (for Ubuntu/Debian) or yum (for CentOS/RedHat) for a streamlined installation. On Windows and macOS, you can use the official MongoDB installer.

B. Installation Steps

Windows

1. Download the Installer:

   • Visit the MongoDB Download Center (https://www.mongodb.com/try/download/community) and select the Windows version.

   • Download the installer and run it.

2. Install MongoDB:

   • Follow the installer prompts, choosing the "Complete" setup type.

   • MongoDB will be installed with default settings.

3. Configure MongoDB as a Windows Service (Optional):

   • Open a Command Prompt as an administrator.

   • Navigate to the MongoDB bin directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\<version>\bin).

   • Run the following command to install MongoDB as a service:

       mongod --install --dbpath "C:\data\db"
     

   • Start the MongoDB service with:

       net start MongoDB
     

macOS

1. Install Homebrew (Optional):

   • If you don't already have Homebrew installed, open Terminal and run:

       /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
     

2. Install MongoDB:

   • Run the following command to install MongoDB:

       brew tap mongodb/brew
       brew install mongodb-community
     

3. Start MongoDB:

   • Start the MongoDB service with:

       brew services start mongodb/brew/mongodb-community
     

Linux

1. Add MongoDB Repository:

   • Add the MongoDB repository for your distribution. For example, on Ubuntu 20.04, run:

       sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv 9DA31620334BD75D9DCB49F368818C72E52529D4
       echo "deb [ arch=amd64,arm64 ] https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu focal/mongodb-org/5.0 multiverse" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-5.0.list
     

2. Install MongoDB:

   • Update your package list and install MongoDB with the following commands:

       sudo apt-get update
       sudo apt-get install -y mongodb-org
     

3. Start MongoDB:

   • Start MongoDB using:

       sudo service mongod start
     

Chapter 2: Basic MongoDB Usage

A. MongoDB Shell

MongoDB provides a command-line interface called the MongoDB shell (mongo) for interacting with the database.

1. Start MongoDB Shell:

   • Open a terminal window and run:

       mongo
     

2. Create a Database:

   • To create a new database, use the use command:

       use mydb
     

3. Create a Collection:

   • Collections are analogous to tables in relational databases. Create one like this:

       db.createCollection("mycollection")
     

4. Insert Documents:

   • Insert documents into your collection:

       db.mycollection.insert({ name: "John", age: 30 })
       db.mycollection.insert({ name: "Jane", age: 25 })
     

5. Query Documents:

   • Retrieve documents using queries:

       db.mycollection.find({ age: { $gte: 28 } })
     

B. MongoDB with Node.js

MongoDB can be easily integrated into Node.js applications using the official MongoDB Node.js driver.

1. Install the MongoDB Node.js Driver:

   • In your Node.js project directory, run:

       npm install mongodb
     

2. Connect to MongoDB:

   • Use the following code to connect to your MongoDB server:

       const { MongoClient } = require("mongodb");
     
       const uri = "mongodb://localhost:27017";
       const client = new MongoClient(uri, { useNewUrlParser: true, useUnifiedTopology: true });
     
       async function connect() {
         try {
           await client.connect();
           console.log("Connected to MongoDB");
         } catch (err) {
           console.error(err);
         }
       }
     
       connect();
     

3. Perform CRUD Operations:

   • You can now perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations using the MongoDB Node.js driver.

Chapter 3: Basic CRUD Queries

MongoDB provides an extensive set of operations for Create, Read, Update, and Delete operations.

A. Create (Insert) Documents

Learn how to insert data into MongoDB collections using insertOne() and insertMany().

B. Read (Retrieve) Documents

Explore various methods for retrieving documents:

• find(): Query documents based on specific criteria.

• findOne(): Retrieve a single document that matches the query.

• count(): Count documents that match a query.

• distinct(): Find unique values within a field.

• Projection: Control which fields are returned.

C. Update Documents

Discover methods for updating documents:

• updateOne() and updateMany(): Modify a single or multiple documents.

• $set, $unset, $inc, and more: Update specific fields within documents.

D. Delete Documents

Learn how to delete documents using deleteOne() and deleteMany().

Chapter 4: Advanced Query Operators

MongoDB offers a rich set of query operators to perform advanced queries.

A. Comparison Operators

Use operators like $eq, $ne, $gt, $lt, $gte, and $lte for comparison-based queries.

B. Logical Operators

Combine conditions with $and, $or, and $not to create complex queries.

C. Array Operators

Query arrays using $in, $nin, $all, $elemMatch, and more.

D. Element Operators

Check for the existence of fields with $exists and null values with $type.

Chapter 5: Aggregation Framework

MongoDB's Aggregation Framework enables complex data transformations and analysis.

A. $match Stage

Filter documents that meet specific criteria.

B. $group Stage

Group documents by specified fields and perform aggregation operations like $sum, $avg, and $max.

C. $project Stage

Shape the output documents by specifying which fields to include, rename, or exclude.

D. $sort and $limit Stages

Sort documents and limit the result set.

E. $lookup Stage

Perform left outer joins between two collections.

Chapter 6: Text Search

Learn how to perform full-text searches in MongoDB.

A. Text Indexing

Create a text index on fields to enable text search.

B. $text Operator

Perform text searches using $text queries, which include $search, $caseSensitive, and $diacriticSensitive options.

Conclusion

MongoDB is a versatile NoSQL database that can be easily installed and integrated into your development environment. Whether you're building web applications, mobile apps, or complex data-driven systems, MongoDB's flexibility and scalability make it an excellent choice. By following the installation steps and basic code examples provided in this guide, you're well on your way to harnessing the power of MongoDB in your projects.