Install MongoDB Community Edition on macOS Step-by-Step

Install MongoDB Community Edition on macOS

MongoDB is a widely-used NoSQL database designed for high performance and scalability. Installing MongoDB Community Edition on macOS is a streamlined process involving Homebrew or direct installation. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough, from downloading to verifying the setup, along with troubleshooting tips and beginner commands.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Pre-Installation Checklist

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure the following:

• Supported macOS Versions: macOS 10.14 (Mojave) and later.
• Hardware Requirements: Minimum 2GB RAM (4GB recommended).

2. Install MongoDB Community Edition using Homebrew

a) Update Homebrew

Open Terminal and run:

brew update

b) Install MongoDB Community Edition

Run the following command to install MongoDB:

brew tap mongodb/brew
brew install [email protected]

c) Start MongoDB

Launch the MongoDB service:

brew services start mongodb/brew/mongodb-community

d) Verify Installation?

Check the MongoDB version to ensure it was installed correctly:

mongo --version

3. Configure MongoDB Environment

a) Default Data Directory

MongoDB stores data in /usr/local/var/mongodb by default. Ensure this directory exists:

mkdir -p /usr/local/var/mongodb

b) Log Directory

MongoDB logs are stored in /usr/local/var/log/mongodb. Confirm its existence:

mkdir -p /usr/local/var/log/mongodb

c) Test MongoDB Server

Run the mongod process manually to test the server:

mongod --dbpath /usr/local/var/mongodb

4. Install and Use MongoDB Compass

a) Download Compass

• Visit the MongoDB Compass page and download the macOS installer.

b) Install Compass

• Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag MongoDB Compass to the Applications folder.

c) Connect Compass to MongoDB

Launch Compass and connect to localhost:27017.

5. Starting MongoDB

a) Run MongoDB Service

• Start MongoDB using Homebrew:

brew services start mongodb/brew/mongodb-community

b) Access MongoDB Shell

• Open a new Terminal window and run:

mongo

c) Verify Functionality

• Insert and query test data:

Code:

db.test.insertOne({ name: "Test", status: "Success" })
db.test.find()

Troubleshooting Installation Issues

1. Error: MongoDB not found

• Ensure Homebrew is installed and updated.
• Verify that brew tap mongodb/brew was run.

2. Server fails to start

• Check permissions for /usr/local/var/mongodb and /usr/local/var/log/mongodb.
• Run the mongod command with sudo if necessary.

3. Compass fails to connect

• Confirm the MongoDB server is running on localhost:27017.

Uninstalling MongoDB

1. Stop the MongoDB Service

• Run the following command:

brew services stop mongodb/brew/mongodb-community

2. Uninstall MongoDB

• Use Homebrew to remove MongoDB:

brew uninstall mongodb-community

3. Clean Remaining Files

• Delete data and log directories:

rm -rf /usr/local/var/mongodb
rm -rf /usr/local/var/log/mongodb

Additional Commands for Beginners

Code:

# Insert multiple documents
db.users.insertMany([
  { name: "Connor", age: 28 },
  { name: "Thera", age: 35 }
])

# Find all documents
db.users.find()

# Update a document
db.users.updateOne({ name:  “Connor" }, { $set: { age: 29 } })

# Delete a document
db.users.deleteOne({ name: "Connor" })