MongoDb is today a great ally in the majority of data needs.
Table of contents
What is MongoDB?
By the way, MongoDb is a database program which is in the list of the most popular. It was born in the company “MongoDB”. It is a program NoSQL and this is its main character.
So, knowledge of SQL is by no means mandatory to manage a MongoDB database efficiently. As for its other characters, MongoDb is relational and open sourcethe latter being mainly what makes it famous. By the way, MongoDb allows to store data unstructured in JSON format.
MongoDb : advantages
MongoDb is based on a database architecture without fixed schema. And, this is its greatest advantage. Indeed, this model makes it possible to easily manage Big Data and serves favorably and in real time for Web applications. Then, MongoDb is particularly appreciable for its user-friendliness. All data created on MongoDb can be viewed and controlled in a meaningful way. Therefore, there is no reason to worry about it. Then, adding, modifying or deleting the available data is perfectly simple. And this, without any error from the program.
The advantages don’t stop there. It is obvious that MongoDb is very powerful. That said, the inserted data arrives quickly. MongoDb is recommended for people who are looking for a program that perfectly meets the data management requirements of their Web applications.
Choosing between MongoDB and SQL
Sometimes it’s hard to choose: SQL or NoSQL? That said, in essence, the choice depends greatly on the data structures of the business or project.
What is SQL?
SQL means language of structured query. Unlike MongoDb, it is used in database management systems structured relational. Its role is to program and support structured data in systems. SQL is a language that is based on queries. Therefore, to retrieve and modify available data records, programmers engage in writing SQL queries.
SQL was the only program dedicated to databases until 2000. However, the data needs were multiplying year after year to become enormous. Thus, managing unstructured data in a structured way became complicated. It is for this reason that the databases NoSQL like MongoDb were coming into the picture. The latter presented itself as the modern solution for database management from the 2000s.
Globally, SQL is ideal in 3 cases. Firstly, when the data is small. Secondly, that these are available according to a relational scheme. And thirdly, if they are structured.
And what about MongoDb?
As explained earlier, MongoDb data can be stored in JSON format. So users have the possibility to store documents according to their needs. The term “unstructured” actually comes from the fact that no relationships exist between the data.
MongoDb fully guarantees security to its users. That said, a encryption protects all the data in it. Thus, they cannot be decrypted by other users or by the program itself. Only the owners of the database can have access to it.
Sometimes it happens that particular databases are exposed to outsiders. While, this fact intensely threatens the privacy of users of a particular company. This prompts to say that although MongoDb is secure, it is better to encrypt data on the web application side before storing it. For example, it is best to use strong passwords for sensitive data.
In any case, the owners of a particular MongoDB database should not see their customers’ sensitive data either.
Beginner’s Guide to MongoDb
Setting up a MongoDB workspace would be totally difficult for a beginner in the subject. Here are the steps to follow.
Step 1: Create a personal MongoDB account
The first thing to do is to visit the MongoDb registration page. Then, you just have to fill in the form and follow the instructions. Once the registration is successful, an e-mail will arrive as an acknowledgement of receipt.
Step 2: Creating a MongoDB project
The project name can simply be a organization namethat is the name of the company initiating the program. Then simply click on the Continue button.
Step 3: Creation of a cluster
MongoDb has a large choice of cluster types to create a specific cluster. From then on, almost all options are paid for. Each option represents specific cluster space and functionality limitations.
So, for beginners, the free option is still the ideal option. It has the required functionality. And, the 512 MB space will be enough for new projects to be created.
Following the instructions, the user will be redirected to another page on which to select the options he wants. And furthermore, to keep everything just as it appears by default. Then he can create the cluster.
Step 4: Creating access to the database
Accessing a MongoDB database from a specific computer requires the IP address of this one. It should be sent to MongoDb.
The “access to the database” option is in the drop-down list on the left side. Of course you have to click on it. Then you have to click on the “Add IP address” button. After that, a pop-up window will appear on the screen where there will be two options to choose from. Option 1 retrieves the user’s current IP address. If he wants to access it only from his computer and not from other devices, he will choose this option. Option 2, on the other hand, allows access from any device and from any location.
However, the following points are to be taken into account. Sometimes the current IP address of the user is changed. This can be caused by disconnection of a computer or changes in the Internet connection. If the user chooses the first option, he or she will not be able to access the MongoDb database. In fact, it is always better to select the second option if only one person will access and use the database. Otherwise, the user will always be forced to give his current IP address once the IP address changes.
The configuration of an IP address is done in just a few minutes or even seconds. Once this step is completed, the IP address will be displayed for the user to see every time he/she accesses it.
Step 5: Configure Database Access
This fifth step consists in create a user who can access the database. Each user of the MongoDb database created can be the object of any limitation. Just click on the “Add a new database user.” From this step, MongoDb will ask for the authentication method, username and password of the user. You will also have to choose the type of privilege to access the database. Once all this is filled in, the user can click on the button.
As with the IP address, if a MongoDb database user registers successfully, that user will appear in the list.
Step 6: Setting up a collection.
Databases are created in the place called collection. Then the user can create his collections inside these databases. Thus, in this section called Collections you will find all the user’s data documents in JSON format. Also, all the data coming from the user’s client side is available there. But, on condition that the user has linked his MongoDb to a Web application.
Indeed, the user can very well store his data in specific collections, belonging for example to specific databases. He simply has to program them on the Web application development side. To do this, the steps to follow are the following. First, the user must navigate to the cluster’s home page. Then, he/she has to click on the tabs of the collections. After this step, MongoDb will redirect the user to a window where he/she can create a sample dataset provided or even create his/her own data.
Step 7: Connecting MongoDB with a web application.
All the MongoDb configuration is almost complete up to step 6. Now only the seventh and last step remains. At this point the user can easily connect the program to a web application. Here is the procedure to do so. The user must first go back to the home page of the cluster. Then he can press the login button that appears.