I’ve recently started working with MongoDB for database management and thought I’d write a short note on my current learnings. In the past, I’ve used SQLite and PostgreSQL. The distinguishing feature between MongoDB and the former approaches is whether we are dealing with a relational model of data management or a document-oriented model. MongoDB is what is known as a NoSQL (‘not only SQL’) approach.
In contrast to a relational system like PostgreSQL which makes use of traditional tables that store structured information, MongoDB uses a document-oriented data storage model. It’s a non-relational model that stores unstructured data in JSON-like documents. This may be particularly helpful for unstructured data such as emails or text files. However, MongoDB can also deal with structured data like data and zip-codes – just in a different way to a table-based model. Documented-oriented approaches can allow for greater flexibility and easier scaling.
For Node users like myself – there is an npm module for MongoDB that makes reading and writing from the database with Node very straightforward.
As someone who is still learning, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the benefits and downfalls of a relational versus non-relational approach.
Learn more here: https://www.mongodb.com/nosql-explained
Ciara Anderson, PhD 