MongoDB

The MongoDB NoSQL database system is described in Chapter 10, NoSQL Databases.

Download the MongoDB installation file from https://www.mongodb.com/download-center#community (or just search MongoDB download to find that web page). Then, follow these steps (for macOS X):

1. Open a Terminal window.

2. Execute these shell commands (the $ indicates the prompt):

   $ cd ~/Downloads
   $ ls mongo*
   $ tar xzf mongodb-osx-ssl-x86_64-3.4.7.tar
   $ sudo mkdir –p /usr/local/mongodb
   $ sudo mv mongodb-osx-x86_64-3.4.7 /usr/local/mongodb
   

   These will decompress the file that you downloaded, create the folder /usr/local/mongodb, and then move the specified decompressed file to that folder. You may be asked for your computer password. The ls command will list the files that match the pattern mongo*.tar. Use that to get the right filename. (The one shown here was correct in August, 2017.)

3. Execute these commands next:

   $ sudo mkdir -p /data/db
   $ sudo chown johnrhubbard /data/db
   

   Use your own username with the chown command. This creates the directory /data/db and gives you ownership of it.

4. Execute these commands next:

   $ cd ~
   $ touch .bash_profile
   $ vim .bash_profile
   

   This starts the vim editor, editing your .bash_profile file. All the commands that you save in that file will be executed automatically whenever you start a shell session.

5. In the vim editor, do this:

   1. Type i to shift into the insert mode.

   2. Add these three lines to the file:

      export MONGO_PATH=/usr/local/mongodb/mongodb-osx-x86_64-3.4.7
      export PATH=$PATH:$MONGO_PATH/bin
      PS1="\w $ "
      

   3. Make sure you get the mongodb file name right.

   4. Press the Esc key to exit the insert mode.

   5. Then type ZZ to save the file and exit vim.

   The first line defines the MONGO_PATH variable. Note that the first line is shown here on two lines. The second line adds that path to your PATH variable. The third line simply sets your PS1 prompt (this was discussed at the beginning of this chapter.) It's optional and you can set it to anything you want.

6. Execute this command next:

   $ source .bash_profile
   

   The source command executes the specified file. If you reset your PS1 prompt, you will see the result.

7. Finally, to check that Mongo is installed, execute this command:

   $ mongo -version
   

The response should confirm the installation by reporting on the version installed.

Now that the system has installed, you are ready to start it. Do this in a new shell window (just type Ctrl+N to get a new window.) Execute this command to start the MongoDB database system:

$ mongod

This will produce many rows of output.

It may ask whether you want the application mongod to accept incoming network connections. Unless you have security concerns, click the Allow button.

Set that window aside. You can hide it, but don't close it.

Now to start a MongoDB shell, where you can execute MongoDB commands, open another Terminal window, and execute this command:

$ mongo

After about 10 lines of output, you should finally see the Mongo shell prompt:

Figure A-39. The Mongo shell prompt

At this point, you can continue with the content in Chapter 10, NoSQL Databases.