Installing MongoDB NoSQL Database for Node.js

Introduction to MongoDB NoSQL Database

NoSQL Databases: An Overview Databases that use other methods for storing and retrieving data than conventional relational (SQL) databases are referred to as NoSQL (or “Not Only SQL”). Although NoSQL databases provide more adaptable data models, SQL databases are dependent on organised tables with preset schemas. One of the main distinctions between conventional SQL databases and NoSQL databases is this flexibility.

NoSQL databases are frequently used for data streaming, I/O-bound applications, data-intensive real-time applications (DIRT), and apps built using JSON APIs. In general, they shouldn’t be used for CPU-intensive applications.

MongoDB: MongoDB A popular cross-platform, and free document-oriented database application is MongoDB. Because it employs JSON-like documents with schemas, it is categorised as a NoSQL database. MongoDB allows you to store documents as the smallest possible unit of information, and these documents are formatted as JSON (or BSON, which is binary JSON). In a relational database, these documents are then stored inside a “collection,” which is comparable to a table. The benefit of integrating MongoDB with Node.js is that they “speak the same language,” thus you can provide plain JavaScript objects to the driver and it will persist them without any transformation because MongoDB is able to comprehend JSON.

Because MongoDB works well with Node.js apps, it is especially well-liked for integrating with Express applications, which are said to be swift and simple. Mongoose.js, an Object Data Mapper (ODM), or the native MongoDB driver can be used for Node.js integration. By giving you the ability to design a schema for your collections and work with objects in an active record format, along with capabilities like query language and validation, Mongoose makes working with MongoDB easier.

Working with documents directly is a requirement for basic CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) actions in MongoDB. Documents can be added, changed, or removed individually. For example, it is simple to enter a document using Mongoose or the native driver, which enables you to pass a JavaScript object (which is similar to JSON) directly for persistence. Using techniques like find or findOne, querying retrieves documents according to predetermined standards.

Using mongoose or the mongodb npm module (the native driver), you may establish a connection to a MongoDB database from within your Node.js application. With the connect tool offered by both, you may enter the database name and connection URL. Upon connecting, MongoDB will automatically create a database name if you don’t supply one.

Fitting Installation of the MongoDB Community Server and maybe a graphical user interface (GUI) tool are required for MongoDB setup on your development computer.

The following are the procedures for installing various operating systems:

Installing MongoDB Server

Windows

1. Navigate to the official Node.js download page and download the Windows installer (.msi). This installer typically includes npm and configures necessary paths.
2. Alternatively, you can install via the Chocolatey package manager using choco install nodejs.install.
3. For MongoDB specifically, download the MongoDB Community Server zip file from the MongoDB download page.
4. Unzip the contents, rename the folder to “mongodb,” and move it to your user’s home directory.
5. Create a “mongodb-data” directory in your user directory to store database data.
6. Start the server from the command line using /Users/Andrew/mongodb/bin/mongod --dbpath=/Users/Andrew/mongodb-data (replace /Users/Andrew/ with your actual user home directory path).

macOS

• Download the official installer from the Node.js download page and run it. Node.js recommends using the LTS (Long Term Support) version for most users.
• Alternatively, you can install Node.js using Homebrew by running brew update and then brew install node in your terminal.
• Another option is Macports: sudo port selfupdate and then sudo port install nodejs npm.
• For MongoDB specifically, download the MongoDB Community Server zip file.
• Unzip, rename to “mongodb”, and move it to your user’s home directory.
• Create a “mongodb-data” directory for data storage.
• Start the server with /Users/Andrew/mongodb/bin/mongod --dbpath=/Users/Andrew/mongodb-data (adjust path as needed).

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

1. You can install Node.js and npm using the apt package manager: sudo apt-get update, sudo apt-get install nodejs, sudo apt-get install npm, and then sudo ln -s /usr/bin/nodejs /usr/bin/node to create a symlink.
2. However, apt versions can be outdated. You can update npm globally using sudo npm install -g npm and install the n package for Node.js version management: sudo npm install -g n followed by sudo n stable (or lts, or a specific version like n 4.4.7).
3. For MongoDB specifically, follow the instructions on the MongoDB download page for your distro. The process typically involves adding MongoDB’s repository and installing it via your package manager.
4. You’ll also need to set up a data directory (e.g., /data/db) for MongoDB to store its files, ensuring proper permissions.

Installation of a database GUI viewer is optional

Manage and visualise your database data with Robo 3T (previously RoboMongo), a free MongoDB admin tool. The Robo 3T download page offers the installation for the device.

Integrating MongoDB with Node.js (via npm)

You must install Node.js packages after the MongoDB server is up and running in order to communicate with it from your Node.js application:

• Native MongoDB Driver: npm install --save mongodb.
• Mongoose (ODM): npm install --save mongoose.
• If a package.json file is present in an existing project, executing npm install will install all dependencies stated, including MongoDB or Mongoose if they are mentioned in the devDependencies or dependencies sections.

After completing these steps, MongoDB will be installed and configured, ready for usage in your Node.js projects for managing and storing data.