MongoDB

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Robomongo 0.8.5 - insertion

MongoDB is a NoSQL database program that uses a document-oriented database model which supports various forms of data. It is one of the most popular databases for modern apps, particularly for those requiring a flexible schema, scalable storage, and high performance. MongoDB stores data in flexible, JSON-like documents, meaning fields can vary from document to document and data structure can be changed over time.

Overview

MongoDB was developed by MongoDB Inc. and is distributed under the Server Side Public License (SSPL), a source-available license that compels users to share modifications and management features in certain circumstances. It is designed to work with large sets of distributed data and provides a powerful query language for reading and modifying data.

Features

• Document-Oriented Storage: Data is stored in flexible, JSON-like documents where each document can have a different structure. This flexibility allows for the storage of complex data types and varying document structures without a predefined schema.
• Full Index Support: MongoDB supports secondary indexes, allowing for efficient queries.
• Replication & High Availability: MongoDB provides high availability with replica sets, a group of MongoDB servers that maintain the same data set, providing redundancy and increasing data availability.
• Auto-Sharding: For horizontal scalability, MongoDB provides sharding, distributing data across multiple machines to handle large datasets.
• Aggregation Framework: MongoDB includes an aggregation framework for performing complex data aggregation operations.
• Rich Query Language: MongoDB supports a rich query language to support read and write operations (CRUD) as well as text search and data aggregation.

Use Cases

MongoDB is used in a variety of applications, from simple web apps to complex, high-volume data processing and analysis. It is particularly well-suited for applications requiring a flexible schema and the ability to scale horizontally, such as:

• Big Data applications
• Content Management Systems (CMS)
• Mobile apps
• Real-time analytics
• Internet of Things (IoT) applications

Criticisms and Controversies

While MongoDB has been praised for its scalability, flexibility, and performance, it has also faced criticism. Early versions were criticized for data loss issues due to its default write concern settings. However, subsequent releases have addressed these concerns with improved default settings and additional features to ensure data integrity.

Licensing and Open Source Status

MongoDB was originally released under the GNU Affero General Public License, but in October 2018, it was re-licensed under the Server Side Public License (SSPL). This move has sparked debate within the open-source community about what constitutes an open-source license, with some arguing that the SSPL imposes restrictions that are not compatible with the definition of open source.

Conclusion

MongoDB represents a significant shift from traditional relational database systems towards more flexible, scalable solutions for data management. Its document-oriented approach, combined with powerful querying and aggregation features, makes it an attractive option for developers and organizations dealing with large volumes of diverse data.