MongoDB Design: Tips AND Tricks

MongoDB is a popular database that works without imposing any kind of schema. The data is stored in a JSON-like format and can contain different kinds of structures. For example, in the same collection we can have the next two documents:

JSON


To get the best out of MongoDB, you have to understand and follow some basic database design principles. Before getting to some design tips, we have to first understand how MongoDB structures the data.

How to View MongoDB Collections as Diagrams

MongoDB doesn’t need a big introduction. It’s one of the fastest-growing databases in the market, and for a good reason. MongoDB has a unique approach to working with data by focusing on flexibility.

Offering Flexibility

Compared to a relational database like MySQL that uses well-defined tables to store data, MongoDB offers more flexibility by storing the data in JSON-like objects. The objects are then stored in collections. Two objects from the same collection can have different data-fields. For example, we can have the next two objects in the same collection:

Let’s Talk About Data Generators

Having relevant data in your database is crucial for application testing, but it’s not always very easy to get. Real databases are nearly impossible to get due to data privacy, so the only real option is a data generator. 

I’m going to present some of the features that I consider important for a data generator. You can keep them in mind while you’re browsing for a generator or when you’re building your own. 

The Secrets of Indexes and Foreign Keys

Indexes and foreign keys are great tools when confronted with large databases. They can be the answer to a good design and great performance. In this article, I will go through some tips that helped me understand how to use these tools efficiently and streamline my work with complex databases. 

Every image example was done with DbSchema. I enjoy this tool because it is diagram oriented, integrates many features, and has a very good price. 

Top 4 Database Design Tools

Good database design will significantly decrease maintenance work and minimize the chances of errors in a project. As every project has different requirements, finding the right tool for it can be a difficult task.

This article compares 4 of the best database design tools. The comparison was made with 4 main points in focus:

How to Explore Databases Visually With Relational Data Browse

How to Explore Databases Visually

Relational databases are used when a project store structured data and has a fixed schema.
They can handle a lot of complex queries, database transactions and routine analysis of data. Relational databases make data browsing very accessible, but even so, they still require complex SQL Queries. This can be time-consuming, especially for a beginner in SQL syntax.

Relational Data Browse, a feature integrated by DbSchema, is an optimal solution to this problem. In this tutorial, we’ll go over the functionality of this feature.