NoSQL Basics

NoSQL databases are like a new way of handling data, different from the traditional SQL databases. While SQL databases store data in organised tables, NoSQL is more flexible, dealing well with different types of information. Now, meet MongoDB—an important NoSQL database. It's like a digital filing system where data is saved in documents instead of tables. This flexibility makes it great for modern apps that change a lot. MongoDB can also handle a lot of data and keeps it safe, which is really useful. So, if you're looking for a modern way to manage data, MongoDB is a star player in this game!

In this lab we will learn the fundamentals of MongoDB by performing basic operations like:

1. Pulling the official MongoDB Image from Docker Registry.

2. Using the Mongo Shell for executing commands.

3. Perform Create, Read, Update and Delete (CRUD) operations on a Database.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites as such for this lab but learning the basics of Docker will help you understand the initial steps better. To understand the basics of docker, you may refer to this lab: Docker Basics.

Basic Architecture of a MongoDB Database:

Collections:

• In MongoDB, data is organized into collections. Think of a collection as a container that holds related documents.

• Collections are similar to tables in traditional databases, but they're more flexible because each document within a collection can have a different structure.

Documents:

• Documents are individual units of data in MongoDB. You can consider them like rows in a table.

• Each document is stored in a collection and is represented in a JSON-like format called BSON (Binary JSON).

• Documents within the same collection can have different fields and structures, allowing you to store diverse types of data together.

Data Storage:

• MongoDB stores data in a format called BSON (Binary JSON), which is a binary-encoded representation of JSON documents.

• Each document is composed of field-value pairs. Fields can contain various types of data such as strings, numbers, dates, arrays, and even nested documents.

Scaling a Database:

MongoDB provides two primary ways to scale databases:

Vertical Scaling (Scaling Up):

This involves upgrading the hardware of a single server to handle increased load.

It's like upgrading your computer's memory or CPU for better performance. 

Horizontal Scaling (Scaling Out):

Involves distributing data across multiple servers, also known as sharding.

Each server stores a subset of the data, and together they work as a unified system.

This approach improves performance and allows you to handle larger amounts of data.

Refer to these to learn more about MongoDB:

1. MongoDB Documentation

2. 'mongodb' tag wiki - Stack Overflow

3. mongodb (github.com)

Benefits of MongoDB:

1. Flexible Data Modeling:

MongoDB's dynamic schema accommodates evolving data structures, enabling you to adapt to changing application requirements without altering the database schema.

2. Scalability and Performance:

MongoDB can scale horizontally to handle large datasets and high traffic loads, making it suitable for applications with growing user bases and data volumes.

3. Document-Oriented Approach:

Learning MongoDB introduces you to the concept of storing data as JSON-like documents, aligning with modern programming practices and simplifying data manipulation.

4. Real-World Applicability:

MongoDB is widely used across industries for various applications, making it a valuable skill that's in demand by employers and businesses.

5. Modern Development Ecosystem:

MongoDB offers official drivers, libraries, and integrations for popular programming languages and frameworks, facilitating seamless integration with modern tech stacks.

Summary:

Learning MongoDB unlocks the door to a flexible and modern way of handling data. It's like learning a tool that can handle lots of information, even if it changes. Businesses really like people who know MongoDB because it's used in many different jobs. Now, let's jump into the Lab to see MongoDB in action and get some hands-on experience. It's like getting your hands dirty while having fun with data!

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