MongoDB and GridFS
GridFS is the file abstraction method MongoDB uses to store and retrieve files larger than 16 MB.
GridFS divides large files into equal chunks with a default size of 255 kB and stores them as a separate document. The last chunk, however, can be as large as necessary.
MongoDB creates two collections to store the files. The first collection – chunks – contains the file chunks; the second – files – contains the file metadata. When you search GridDS for a file, the driver will reassemble the chunks as needed.
GridFS is a fitting mechanism to store files in MongoDB, which complements the schema-less (hence faster) retrieval of information provided by the document model.
Because files are divided into smaller chunks, it’s easier to access specific sections of a file, sparing the memory-expensive task of loading an entire file.
GridFS Support in Studio 3T
In Studio 3T, each database has a corresponding GridFS Buckets folder.
Within this folder is a default bucket called Images, but you can add more buckets as needed.
Add a new GridFS bucket
- Right-click on the GridFS Buckets folder.
- Choose Add Bucket.
- Name your bucket.
- Click OK.
Drop a GridFS bucket
- Right-click on the bucket to be deleted.
- Choose Drop Bucket.
Open GridFS view
Right-click – Right-click on the target GridFS bucket and choose Open GridFS view.
Shortcut – Choose the bucket to view and press Enter
Add a new file
Right-click – Right-click anywhere within the GridFS view and choose Add Files.
Button – Click on the green + sign in the toolbar.
Delete a file
Right-click – Right-click on the file to be deleted and choose Remove file(s).
Button – Click on the red – sign in the toolbar.
Shortcut – ⌫ (fn + ⌫ on Mac)
Save a file
Right-click – Right-click on the file you want to save and choose Save to Disk.
Button – Click on the disk icon in the toolbar.
Shortcut – Ctrl + S (⌘ + S)
View a file
Right-click – Right-click on the file you want to view and choose View File.
Button – Choose the file you want to view and click on the lens icon in the toolbar.
Shortcut – F3 (fn + F3 on Mac)
Search for files
1. Define the search parameter in the drop-down. Choose from:
- File search
- ID search
- Type search
- Uploaded before
- Uploaded after
- File size smaller
- File size larger
- MD5 search
2. Type in the value to look for in the search bar.
3. Define the sort parameter. Choose from:
- No sort
- File Name
- Size
- File ID
- File Type
- Upload Date
- MD5
4. Click on the Play button to run the search.
View the GridFS collections
Each GridFS bucket creates two corresponding collections: BucketName.chunks and BucketName.files.
BucketName.chunks contains the actual file chunks:
While BucketName.files contains the file metadata like filename, uploadDate, and contentType:
