MongoDB, an open-source document database written in C++, is classified as a NoSQL database. Because it avoids the traditional table-based relational database structure in favor of JSON-like documents with dynamic schemas (MongoDB calls the format BSON), it facilitates quick-and-easy data integration in various applications.

MongoDB emphasizes the four main principles:

1. Flexibility

MongoDB stores data in JSON documents (serialized to BSON), thus providing a rich data model that seamlessly maps to native programming language types. Additionally, the dynamic schema makes it easier to evolve your data model than is possible with an RDBMS or other system that relies on strict schemas.

2. Power

MongoDB offers many of the features found in a traditional RDBMS, including secondary indexes, dynamic queries, sorting, rich updates, upserts (update if a document exists, insert if it doesn’t) and easy aggregation. So, you can enjoy the impressive functionality of an RDBMS along with the flexibility and scalability of a non-relational model.

3. Speed and Scaling

Unlike a relational database, in which related data is separated into multiple tables that must be adjoined later, MongoDB keeps the data together in documents. As a result, queries can be performed much more quickly. MongoDB also provides scalability for your database. Auto-sharding lets you scale your cluster in a linear manner, so it grows as you incorporate additional machines. Thus, capacity is increased without downtime. That’s critically important in the context of IT, where an abrupt increase in load could incur extensive maintenance and a significant loss in revenue.

4. Ease of use

MongoDB, even with all its capability, is easy to install, configure, maintain and use. Its streamlined design is a factor here. MongoDB provides few configuration options but instead does the “right thing” wherever possible. Accordingly, MongoDB works right out of the box. Imagine being able to dive right into your application development without having to fine-tune obscure database configurations. MongoDB is the essence of efficiency in database design and operation.

You can see how it is easy to work with MongoDB from our 1-minute MongoDB tutorial.

Also in the following instructive video you can see MongoDB’s advantages over traditional databases: