Exploring the installation process of MongoDB on Ubuntu

MongoDB, a well-known NoSQL database, has a comprehensive and versatile structure for the storage and management of data surrounding documents. If you are planning to install MongoDB on an Ubuntu operating system, knowing how to set up MongoDB and having some level of understanding of database management would ensure that your experience is easy and efficient. Generally, MongoDB is a highly powerful database and can be used with a number of different applications. If you’re looking for an alternative option to explore when considering databases, flexible, scalable, and high-performance oriented MongoDB may be the answer.

This post will map out how to carry out the installation procedure of PostgreSQL on an Ubuntu Linux operating system. It will delve into the various methods, configurations, and even a basic understanding of MongoDB and its applications.

What is MongoDB

MongoDB is a widely known program that falls under NoSQL databases and comes handy when one is required to store and manage big chunk of information. Its a document centered database, which means the information is kept in files which JSON like documents instead of traditional tables in a relational database. This makes it a good choice for storing unstructured or semi-structured data, such as sensor data, posts on social network platforms, and e-commerce data. Here are some reasons why developers choose MongoDB:

1. Flexibility: MongoDB’s schema-less design allows you to store data without having to define a fixed structure upfront.
2. Scalability: MongoDB can easily scale horizontally by adding more servers to your cluster.
3. Performance: MongoDB is known for its fast performance, especially for ad-hoc queries and aggregations.
4. Ease of use: MongoDB is relatively easy to learn and use, even for developers who are not familiar with NoSQL databases.
5. Features: MongoDB offers a variety of features that make it a powerful and versatile database, such as geospatial indexing, aggregation pipelines, and map-reduce functionality.

In the end, MongoDB is a good option for developers because it can handle various data types.

Installing MongoDB on Ubuntu

If you are a developer or are learning to become a developer, MongoDB is a good option for database development. Before diving into the installation process, here are some prerequisites:

1. Ubuntu system: Any recent Ubuntu version will work.
2. Sudo privileges: You’ll need administrative access to install and configure software.
3. Terminal: Basic understanding of the command line in Linux.

After the prerequisites, there are two main ways to Ubuntu install MongoDB by using the official Ubuntu repositories which offer the default version of MongoDB available in your repositories or it can be done by adding the MongoDB repository which provides the latest stable version directly from the official source.

1. Ubuntu Repositories:

Before installing any software in the Ubuntu Linux operating system it is important to update the package list, you can update the list with the following command:

sudo apt-get update

The image shows the updated package list in the Ubuntu operating system.

Install the MongoDB-org package:

This MongoDB install Ubuntu meta-package installs the latest stable version of MongoDB available in the Ubuntu repositories, type the following command:

sudo apt install mongodb-org

Verify the installation:

Check if the service is running and listen on the default port. You can check the status by typing the following command:

sudo systemctl status mongod

If the MongoDB database is inactive the image looks like this:

As the above image described the system is dead you have to start the MongoDB service, for this type the following command:

sudo systemctl start mongod

Now after starting the server, again check with the status command, and a green indicator shows the MongoDB database server is active, as image described below:

2. MongoDB Repository:

Another method is from the MongoDB repository. This approach provides access to the latest stable version of MongoDB directly from the official site.

MongoDB GPG key:

The GNUpG which is also known as GPG a command line tool to integrate features with applications, to integrate the repository of MongoDB you have to import its GPG key:

curl -fsSL https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-4.4.asc | sudo apt-key add -

After creating a new Linux file for the MongoDB repository. Type the following command:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org-4.0.list

Add the following line to the file, replacing focal with your Ubuntu version.

deb https://repo.mongodb.org/apt/ubuntu focal/mongodb-org/4.4 main

After that update your package list again as described below. Now repeat the steps from the Ubuntu repository section.

How MongoDB is used

Here are some examples of how Ubuntu MongoDB is used:

• E-commerce: Many online stores use MongoDB to store product information, customer data, and order history.
• Content management systems: Some CMS platforms use MongoDB to store website content, user data, and comments.
• Mobile apps: Many mobile apps use MongoDB to store user data, app settings, and offline data.
• Real-time analytics: MongoDB is a good choice for storing and analyzing real-time data, such as sensor data or financial transactions.

Conclusion

Installing and configuring MongoDB on Ubuntu is a simple process. By following the steps outlined in this guide and utilizing the provided resources, you can set up your MongoDB instance and start building powerful applications. Remember to adjust the configuration options based on your specific needs and environment. With its flexibility and scalability, MongoDB can be an important asset for your development projects.

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