Summary

In this chapter, you learned how to get into the mongo shell using a set of command-line options. You also learned how to use the .mongorc.js file to customize the shell. You learned how to perform basic database operations, such as conducting queries, and inserting, updating, and deleting documents.  You learned the basics of how to construct a query filter using query operators, and how to control the output by creating a projection. You also learned that the same filter created for a query can also be applied to update and delete operations. In the process of learning about performing queries, you were shown various examples of common ad hoc reports required by management.

You now know that there is a set of db.collection.XXX shell methods to perform operations on single documents, including findOne(), insertOne(), updateOne(), replaceOne(), and deleteOne(). There is a parallel set of db.collection.XXX shell methods that operate on one or more documents, including find(), insertMany(), updateMany(), and deleteMany(). You can use the xxxOne() set of methods to ensure only a single document is affected, which might be useful when performing critical updates. You also learned how these tools can be used to spot irregularities in the data, and how to make adjustments.

You then learned how to perform backup and restore using the mongodump and mongorestore tools. You learned about the various command-line switches available for these utilities and were presented with a number of points to consider in the interest of maintaining data integrity, especially when operating upon servers in a replica set. Finally, you were given an overview and some practical techniques on how to monitor database performance. As you learned, the two major methods are db.collection.stats() and db.serverStatus(). In addition to a summary of the major statistics available to monitor database operations, you also learned about which parameters to look to that might indicate impaired database performance.

In the next section of the book, you will learn how to build a dynamic database-driven web application using Python, based upon MongoDB. The next chapter will address database design for a typical small enterprise, Sweets Complete, Inc., a fictitious company offering confections for sale online.