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MongoDB is one of the most popular NoSQL databases, beloved for its flexibility and ease of use. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, learning to install MongoDB on your Mac can be beneficial for various projects. This blog post will guide you through the process step-by-step, beginning with an overview of MongoDB, its prerequisites, and then leading into the installation process using two methods: Homebrew and manual installation. By the end of this guide, you’ll be ready to run MongoDB on your Mac and start building dynamic applications.
What’s MongoDB?
MongoDB is a NoSQL database designed for scalability, performance, and high availability. Unlike traditional relational databases that rely on tables and rows, MongoDB uses collections and documents, making it ideal for handling semi-structured data. This flexibility allows developers to innovate faster and manage evolving applications more effectively.
MongoDB stores data in flexible, JSON-like documents, which means fields can vary from document to document, and data structure can be changed over time. This adaptability makes MongoDB a popular choice for modern applications, especially those dealing with large volumes of data, real-time analytics, and rapid iteration cycles.
Prerequisites
Before you begin the installation process, ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements. MongoDB can be installed on macOS running on Intel x86-64 or ARM 64-bit processors. It’s recommended to have at least 2 GB of RAM to run MongoDB adequately, although 4 GB or more would be ideal for better performance.
Additionally, ensure you have administrative privileges on your Mac. You’ll need to use the Terminal for installation commands, so a basic understanding of command-line interfaces is beneficial. Having Homebrew installed on your Mac will also simplify the installation process, although it’s not a strict requirement.
Installation Overview
There are two primary methods for installing MongoDB on macOS: using Homebrew and manual installation. Homebrew is a package manager for macOS and Linux that allows you to install software effortlessly. This method is recommended for most users due to its simplicity.
If you prefer more control over the installation process or if Homebrew isn’t an option, you can opt for manual installation. This approach involves downloading MongoDB directly from the official MongoDB website and configuring the necessary environment variables and directories yourself.
Install and Run MongoDB with Homebrew
To install MongoDB via Homebrew, open the Terminal and enter the following commands:
brew tap mongodb/brew brew install mongodb-community@5.0This taps into the MongoDB repository and installs the latest stable version of MongoDB. Once the installation is complete, you can start the MongoDB service by typing:
brew services start mongodb-community@5.0To verify that MongoDB is running, you can use the following command:
mongoIf everything is set up correctly, you should see the MongoDB shell prompt, indicating that MongoDB is up and running. To stop the service, you can use:
brew services stop mongodb-communityInstall and Run MongoDB by Downloading it Manually
If you choose manual installation, first download the MongoDB archive from the official MongoDB website. Select the macOS version suitable for your system architecture (x86-64 or ARM 64-bit).
Once the download is complete, extract the archive and move the extracted folder to your desired location, such as /usr/local/mongodb. Next, add MongoDB’s bin directory to your $PATH environment variable by editing your shell profile file (e.g., .bash_profile, .zshrc) and adding:
export PATH=/usr/local/mongodb/bin:$PATHAfter saving the changes, reload your profile by running source ~/.bash_profile or source ~/.zshrc in the Terminal. To start using MongoDB, create the data directory where MongoDB will store its files:
sudo mkdir -p /data/db sudo chown `id -u` /data/db
Then, you can start the MongoDB server by typing:
mongodOpen another Terminal window and type mongo to interact with the MongoDB shell. To stop the MongoDB server, use Ctrl + C in the Terminal window where mongod is running.
Future Prospects
Whether you choose Homebrew or manual installation, running MongoDB on your Mac is only the beginning. With MongoDB ready to go, you can now focus on building and scaling your applications. Experimenting with various MongoDB features, such as indexing, aggregation pipelines, and replication, can elevate your skills further. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide your next steps:
| Method | Steps | Commands |
|---|---|---|
| Homebrew |
|
brew tap mongodb/brew brew install mongodb-community@5.0 brew services start mongodb-community@5.0 mongo |
| Manual |
|
export PATH=/usr/local/mongodb/bin:$PATH sudo mkdir -p /data/db sudo chown `id -u` /data/db mongod mongo |
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