Week 8: MongoDB & Database Integration

Backend

Introduction to MongoDB database, Mongoose ODM, and integrating databases with Express.js applications.

Learning Objectives

Detailed Schedule

Session 1: MongoDB Fundamentals (1 hour)

Introduction to NoSQL (20 minutes)

  • NoSQL databases vs SQL databases
  • MongoDB installation and setup
  • MongoDB Compass GUI tool
  • Basic MongoDB operations

CRUD Operations (25 minutes)

  • Collections and documents
  • Create, Read, Update, Delete operations
  • Query operators and filters
  • Basic MongoDB commands

Practice Exercise (15 minutes)

Practice basic MongoDB operations including creating, reading, updating, and deleting documents

Session 2: Mongoose ODM (1 hour)

Mongoose Basics (25 minutes)

  • Introduction to Mongoose
  • Schema definition and validation
  • Model creation and methods
  • Data types and field options

Advanced Mongoose Features (20 minutes)

  • Virtual properties and methods
  • Schema middleware (pre/post hooks)
  • Data validation and sanitization

Practice Exercise (15 minutes)

Create Mongoose schemas and models with validation, virtual properties, and middleware

Session 3: Database Integration (1 hour)

Express.js Integration (25 minutes)

  • Connecting Express.js to MongoDB
  • Environment variables and configuration
  • Database connection management
  • Error handling for database operations

Advanced Features (20 minutes)

  • Aggregation pipeline
  • Indexing and performance optimization
  • Data relationships and references
  • Advanced querying techniques

Practice Exercise (15 minutes)

Integrate MongoDB with Express.js application and implement database operations

Key Concepts

MongoDB

  • • NoSQL document database
  • • Collections and documents
  • • CRUD operations
  • • Query operators

Mongoose ODM

  • • Schema definition
  • • Model creation
  • • Validation and middleware
  • • Virtual properties

Database Integration

  • • Connection management
  • • Error handling
  • • Environment configuration
  • • Data validation

Advanced Features

  • • Aggregation pipeline
  • • Indexing strategies
  • • Data relationships
  • • Performance optimization

Hands-on Activities

Activity 1: MongoDB Basics

Practice basic MongoDB operations including creating, reading, updating, and deleting documents.

CRUD Operations Query Operators MongoDB Compass

Activity 2: Mongoose Models

Create Mongoose schemas and models with validation, virtual properties, and middleware.

Schema Design Validation Middleware

Activity 3: Database Integration

Integrate MongoDB with Express.js application and implement database operations.

Connection Setup CRUD API Error Handling

Activity 4: Advanced Queries

Implement advanced MongoDB features including aggregation, indexing, and complex queries.

Aggregation Indexing Performance

Weekly Project: Enhanced Task Management API

Project Overview

Enhance the Task Management API with MongoDB integration, advanced features, and improved data management.

Enhanced Features:

  • MongoDB database integration
  • User authentication and authorization
  • Task categories and priorities
  • Due date management
  • Task search and filtering
  • Task statistics and reporting

Technical Requirements:

  • MongoDB with Mongoose ODM
  • Advanced schema design
  • Data validation and sanitization
  • Aggregation queries
  • Performance optimization
  • Comprehensive error handling

Enhanced Project Structure: 

task-management-api/
├── src/
│   ├── models/
│   │   ├── Task.js
│   │   ├── User.js
│   │   └── Category.js
│   ├── routes/
│   │   ├── tasks.js
│   │   ├── users.js
│   │   └── categories.js
│   ├── middleware/
│   │   ├── auth.js
│   │   ├── validation.js
│   │   └── errorHandler.js
│   ├── config/
│   │   └── database.js
│   └── app.js
├── data/
│   └── seed.js
├── package.json
└── README.md

Assessment Criteria

Technical Skills (60%)

  • MongoDB setup and operations (15%)
  • Mongoose schema and model design (20%)
  • Database integration with Express (15%)
  • Advanced MongoDB features (10%)

Project Quality (40%)

  • Database functionality (15%)
  • Data validation and error handling (15%)
  • Performance and optimization (10%)

Teaching Resources

Code Examples:

Additional Resources: