Node.js MongoDB Get Started

MongoDB is a popular NoSQL database that stores data in a flexible, JSON-like format. With Node.js, you can interact with MongoDB to build scalable and efficient applications. This guide will walk you through getting started with MongoDB in Node.js.

 

Key Features of MongoDB with Node.js

1. NoSQL Database: MongoDB stores data in collections of documents, enabling flexible schema design.
2. Scalability: It supports large-scale applications with horizontal scalability.
3. Integration with Node.js: The official mongodb package makes it easy to connect, query, and manage MongoDB data.
4. Support for CRUD Operations: Perform Create, Read, Update, and Delete operations with ease.

 

Step 1 Install MongoDB and the Node.js Driver

1. Install MongoDB
   • Download MongoDB from the official website and follow the installation instructions for your operating system.
2. Install the MongoDB Node.js Driver
   Use npm to install the MongoDB driver in your Node.js project:

npm install mongodb

Step 2 Connect to MongoDB

To connect to MongoDB, use the MongoClient class from the mongodb package. Ensure MongoDB is running locally or accessible remotely.

Example Code

const { MongoClient } = require('mongodb');

// Connection URL and Database Name
const url = 'mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017';
const dbName = 'mydatabase';

async function main() {
  const client = new MongoClient(url);

  try {
    // Connect to MongoDB
    await client.connect();
    console.log('Connected to MongoDB');

    // Access Database
    const db = client.db(dbName);
    console.log(`Database: ${db.databaseName}`);
  } finally {
    // Close the connection
    await client.close();
  }
}

main().catch(console.error);

Output:

Connected to MongoDB  
Database: mydatabase

Step 3 Perform CRUD Operations

Create (Insert Data)

Insert one or multiple documents into a collection.

async function insertData(db) {
  const collection = db.collection('users');

  const result = await collection.insertOne({
    name: 'John Doe',
    email: '[email protected]',
    age: 30,
  });

  console.log('Inserted document:', result.insertedId);
}

Output:

Inserted document: 61b0cfe1f6b4f1e749bc6c4e

Read (Query Data)

Retrieve data from a collection using queries.

async function fetchData(db) {
  const collection = db.collection('users');

  const user = await collection.findOne({ name: 'John Doe' });
  console.log('Fetched document:', user);
}

Output:

Fetched document: { "_id": "61b0cfe1f6b4f1e749bc6c4e", "name": "John Doe", "email": "[email protected]", "age": 30 }

Update (Modify Data)

Update existing documents using filters.

async function updateData(db) {
  const collection = db.collection('users');

  const result = await collection.updateOne(
    { name: 'John Doe' },
    { $set: { age: 31 } }
  );

  console.log('Modified count:', result.modifiedCount);
}

Output:

Modified count: 1

Delete (Remove Data)

Delete documents that match a specific condition.

async function deleteData(db) {
  const collection = db.collection('users');

  const result = await collection.deleteOne({ name: 'John Doe' });
  console.log('Deleted count:', result.deletedCount);
}

Output:

Deleted count: 1

Step 4 Close the Connection

Always ensure the database connection is closed after completing operations to avoid resource leaks.

async function closeConnection(client) {
  await client.close();
  console.log('Connection closed');
}

 

Summary

Using Node.js with MongoDB allows developers to build dynamic applications with a flexible and scalable NoSQL database. This guide covered the basics of installing the MongoDB driver, connecting to the database, and performing CRUD operations. With these foundational skills, you can begin integrating MongoDB into your Node.js projects efficiently.