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Using SQL in MongoDB Aggregation

MongoDB 101: Getting Started Using SQL in MongoDB Aggregation

In MongoDB, you can create aggregate queries that group data into meaningful categories of consolidated information, similar to aggregating data in a SQL or relational database.

However, aggregation in MongoDB differs from SQL in several important ways, and if you’re new to MongoDB, these differences might seem confusing at first.

Aggregation in MongoDB

The process of aggregation in MongoDB requires that you group the data by a common field and then perform some type of operation based on that grouping, such as counting totals, adding amounts, or calculating averages.

This approach is similar to aggregating data in a relational database, in which you add a GROUP BY clause to your SELECT statement and then add an aggregate function to the SELECT clause.

To aggregate data in MongoDB, you will use the aggregate method on the collection that contains the relevant source data, using multiple aggregate operators as arguments to the method. Each operator represents a step in the aggregate pipeline that carries out a specific operation.

Fortunately, Studio 3T simplifies this process by providing the Aggregation Editor, a user-friendly interface that breaks the aggregate query down into manageable stages. The editor makes it easy to build aggregate queries that return specific types of information, while offering a tool that demonstrates how aggregations work.

Studio 3T also provides SQL Query, a feature which makes it possible to run an SQL statement against a MongoDB collection, as though you were querying a relational database. From there, you can export your query to the Aggregation Editor, which provides a user-friendly interface for building an aggregate query one stage at a time.

This way, you can start building your aggregate queries in SQL and then refine them in the mongo shell language, using the Aggregation Editor.

In the next exercise, you’ll use both the SQL Query and Aggregation Editor to extract information about the distribution of pubs in Wales.

Access to SQL Query is included in the free 30-day trial.

By the end of this section, you will learn how to:

  • Use the SQL Query tool to run a SQL query
  • Export the query to the Aggregation Editor
  • Edit the query in the Aggregation Editor

What you will need:

  • Access to a MongoDB Atlas cluster
  • Ability to download a .json file from the Internet
Lesson Content
0% Complete 0/3 Steps
Lesson 5, Exercise 1: Running a SQL aggregate query in MongoDB
Test your skills: Using SQL in MongoDB Aggregation
Lesson 5, Exercise 2: Exporting a SQL query to the Aggregation Editor
Lesson 5, Exercise 3: Editing a query in the Aggregation Editor
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    Introduction to MongoDB and Studio 3T
    1 Quiz
    Test your skills: Introduction to MongoDB and Studio 3T
    Introduction to MongoDB Atlas
    1 Topic
    Lesson 2, Exercise: Setting up MongoDB Atlas
    Connecting to MongoDB
    1 Topic | 1 Quiz
    Lesson 3, Exercise: Connecting to MongoDB via Studio 3T
    Test your skills: Connecting to MongoDB
    The MongoDB Basics: Databases, Collections & Documents
    7 Topics | 2 Quizzes
    Lesson 4: Understanding MongoDB Documents: Fields & Data Types
    Test your skills: Understanding MongoDB Documents
    Lesson 4: Comparing MongoDB vs SQL Concepts
    Lesson 4, Exercise 1: Creating a collection from a .json file
    Test your skills: Creating a Collection
    Lesson 4, Exercise 2: Reviewing the collection in different views
    Lesson 4, Exercise 3: Using Visual Query Builder to query data
    Lesson 4, Exercise 4: Updating data directly within the collection
    Post-Basics Course Feedback
    Using SQL in MongoDB Aggregation
    3 Topics | 1 Quiz
    Lesson 5, Exercise 1: Running a SQL aggregate query in MongoDB
    Test your skills: Using SQL in MongoDB Aggregation
    Lesson 5, Exercise 2: Exporting a SQL query to the Aggregation Editor
    Lesson 5, Exercise 3: Editing a query in the Aggregation Editor
    Importing and Exporting MongoDB Data
    3 Topics | 1 Quiz
    Lesson 6, Exercise 1: Importing document data from a .csv file
    Lesson 6, Exercise 2: Exporting document data to a .json file
    Lesson 6, Exercise 3: Exporting document data to a new collection
    Test your skills: Importing and Exporting MongoDB Data
    Running MongoDB Queries on the mongo Shell
    4 Topics | 1 Quiz
    Lesson 7: Introducing IntelliShell
    Lesson 7, Exercise 1: Using IntelliShell to load and run a script file
    Lesson 7, Exercise 2: Using IntelliShell’s auto-completion features to write queries
    Lesson 7, Exercise 3: Running queries in IntelliShell and viewing the results
    Test your skills: Running MongoDB Queries on the mongo Shell
    Course Extras
    Return to MongoDB 101: Getting Started
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