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Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp · Lesson

CRUD Operations with Mongoose

Implement Create, Read, Update, and Delete operations using Mongoose methods to manage your data.

CRUD Operations with Mongoose is a free Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.

What is CRUD?

CRUD stands for Create, Read, Update, and Delete. These are the four fundamental operations you perform on data in almost any database application.

Understanding CRUD is key to building interactive applications where users can manage information.

  • Create: Adding new data.
  • Read: Retrieving existing data.
  • Update: Modifying existing data.
  • Delete: Removing data.

Our Sample Mongoose Model

Before we perform CRUD operations, we need a Mongoose model. This model defines the structure of our documents in MongoDB.

We'll use a simple Book model for our examples:

const mongoose = require('mongoose');

const bookSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  title: String,
  author: String,
  year: Number
});

const Book = mongoose.model('Book', bookSchema);

This Book model will interact with a books collection in our database.

Creating New Documents

The "Create" operation adds new documents to your MongoDB collection. With Mongoose, you can create a new instance of your model and then call its .save() method.

Alternatively, use Model.create() for a simpler approach.

const mongoose = require('mongoose');

const bookSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  title: String,
  author: String,
  year: Number
});
const Book = mongoose.model('Book', bookSchema);

async function main() {
  await mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/coddykit_db');
  console.log('Connected to MongoDB!');

  try {
    const newBook = new Book({
      title: 'The Great Adventure',
      author: 'A. Explorer',
      year: 2023
    });
    await newBook.save();
    console.log('Book created:', newBook.title);

    const anotherBook = await Book.create({
      title: 'Node.js Handbook',
      author: 'J. Developer',
      year: 2022
    });
    console.log('Book created using create():', anotherBook.title);

  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error creating book:', error);
  } finally {
    await mongoose.disconnect();
    console.log('Disconnected from MongoDB.');
  }
}

main();

Reading All Documents

The "Read" operation retrieves data. To get all documents from a collection, use the Model.find() method without any arguments.

This returns a Mongoose Query object that you can await.

const mongoose = require('mongoose');

const bookSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  title: String,
  author: String,
  year: Number
});
const Book = mongoose.model('Book', bookSchema);

async function main() {
  await mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/coddykit_db');
  console.log('Connected to MongoDB!');

  try {
    // Ensure there are some books to read
    await Book.deleteMany({}); // Clear existing for clean run
    await Book.create([
      { title: 'Book One', author: 'Author A', year: 2000 },
      { title: 'Book Two', author: 'Author B', year: 2010 }
    ]);

    const allBooks = await Book.find();
    console.log('All Books:');
    allBooks.forEach(book => console.log(`- ${book.title} by ${book.author}`));

  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error reading books:', error);
  } finally {
    await mongoose.disconnect();
    console.log('Disconnected from MongoDB.');
  }
}

main();

Finding Specific Documents

To find documents that match specific criteria, pass a query object to Model.find(). For a single document, use Model.findOne() or Model.findById() if you have its ID.

const mongoose = require('mongoose');

const bookSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  title: String,
  author: String,
  year: Number
});
const Book = mongoose.model('Book', bookSchema);

async function main() {
  await mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/coddykit_db');
  console.log('Connected to MongoDB!');

  try {
    await Book.deleteMany({});
    const book1 = await Book.create({ title: 'Specific Book', author: 'Jane Doe', year: 2015 });
    await Book.create({ title: 'Another Book', author: 'John Smith', year: 2018 });

    const foundBookById = await Book.findById(book1._id);
    console.log('Found by ID:', foundBookById.title);

    const foundBookByTitle = await Book.findOne({ title: 'Another Book' });
    console.log('Found by title:', foundBookByTitle.title);

    const booksByAuthor = await Book.find({ author: 'Jane Doe' });
    console.log('Books by Jane Doe:', booksByAuthor.length);

  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error finding specific books:', error);
  } finally {
    await mongoose.disconnect();
    console.log('Disconnected from MongoDB.');
  }
}

main();

Updating Documents Easily

The "Update" operation modifies existing documents. Mongoose provides methods like Model.findByIdAndUpdate() and Model.updateOne() for this.

findByIdAndUpdate() is convenient for updating a document by its unique ID.

const mongoose = require('mongoose');

const bookSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  title: String,
  author: String,
  year: Number
});
const Book = mongoose.model('Book', bookSchema);

async function main() {
  await mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/coddykit_db');
  console.log('Connected to MongoDB!');

  try {
    await Book.deleteMany({});
    const createdBook = await Book.create({ title: 'Old Title', author: 'Original Author', year: 2000 });
    console.log('Original Book:', createdBook.title);

    const updatedBook = await Book.findByIdAndUpdate(
      createdBook._id,
      { title: 'New & Improved Title', year: 2024 },
      { new: true } // Return the updated document
    );
    console.log('Updated Book:', updatedBook.title, 'Year:', updatedBook.year);

  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error updating book:', error);
  } finally {
    await mongoose.disconnect();
    console.log('Disconnected from MongoDB.');
  }
}

main();

Manual Update & Save

Another way to update is to first find the document, modify its properties, and then call its .save() method. This is useful when you need to perform logic on the document before saving.

It triggers Mongoose middleware (like pre-save hooks) unlike `findByIdAndUpdate` by default.

const mongoose = require('mongoose');

const bookSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  title: String,
  author: String,
  year: Number
});
const Book = mongoose.model('Book', bookSchema);

async function main() {
  await mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/coddykit_db');
  console.log('Connected to MongoDB!');

  try {
    await Book.deleteMany({});
    const createdBook = await Book.create({ title: 'To Be Modified', author: 'Someone', year: 2010 });
    console.log('Original Book:', createdBook.title);

    const bookToModify = await Book.findById(createdBook._id);
    if (bookToModify) {
      bookToModify.title = 'Modified Title with Save';
      bookToModify.year = 2011;
      await bookToModify.save();
      console.log('Modified Book:', bookToModify.title, 'Year:', bookToModify.year);
    }

  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error modifying and saving book:', error);
  } finally {
    await mongoose.disconnect();
    console.log('Disconnected from MongoDB.');
  }
}

main();

Deleting Documents

The "Delete" operation removes documents from your collection. Mongoose offers methods like Model.findByIdAndDelete() and Model.deleteOne() or Model.deleteMany().

Use these carefully as deletions are usually permanent!

const mongoose = require('mongoose');

const bookSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  title: String,
  author: String,
  year: Number
});
const Book = mongoose.model('Book', bookSchema);

async function main() {
  await mongoose.connect('mongodb://localhost:27017/coddykit_db');
  console.log('Connected to MongoDB!');

  try {
    await Book.deleteMany({});
    const bookToDelete = await Book.create({ title: 'Ephemeral Book', author: 'Ghost', year: 2020 });
    await Book.create({ title: 'Another One', author: 'Someone Else', year: 2021 });
    console.log('Books before delete:', (await Book.find()).length);

    await Book.findByIdAndDelete(bookToDelete._id);
    console.log('Book deleted by ID.');
    console.log('Books after delete:', (await Book.find()).length);

    await Book.deleteOne({ title: 'Another One' });
    console.log('Another book deleted by criteria.');
    console.log('Books after second delete:', (await Book.find()).length);

  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error deleting book:', error);
  } finally {
    await mongoose.disconnect();
    console.log('Disconnected from MongoDB.');
  }
}

main();

Asynchronous Operations

All Mongoose CRUD operations are asynchronous. This means they don't block the main thread while waiting for the database.

Always use async/await or Promises (.then()/.catch()) to handle their results and potential errors.

Proper error handling ensures your application is robust and user-friendly.

CRUD Quick Check

Consider the following Mongoose model and code snippet:

const userSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
  username: String,
  email: String
});
const User = mongoose.model('User', userSchema);

// ... connection established ...

async function performAction() {
  const newUser = await User.create({ username: 'coder', email: 'coder@example.com' });
  newUser.username = 'pro_coder';
  await newUser.save();
  console.log(newUser.username);
}
performAction();

What will be logged to the console?

CRUD Operations Summary

You've learned the essential CRUD operations with Mongoose!

  • Create: Use new Model().save() or Model.create().
  • Read: Use Model.find(), Model.findOne(), or Model.findById().
  • Update: Use Model.findByIdAndUpdate() or find, modify, then .save().
  • Delete: Use Model.findByIdAndDelete() or Model.deleteOne().

These operations form the backbone of almost any data-driven application.

Frequently asked questions

Is the “CRUD Operations with Mongoose” lesson free?

Yes — the full text of “CRUD Operations with Mongoose” is free to read here on the web, and the Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.

What will I learn in “CRUD Operations with Mongoose”?

Implement Create, Read, Update, and Delete operations using Mongoose methods to manage your data. You practise Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.

Do I need any experience to start Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp?

No prior experience is required. Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.

How long does the “CRUD Operations with Mongoose” lesson take?

Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.

Can I write and run code in this Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp lesson?

Yes. Every Node.js Backend Development Bootcamp lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.

All lessons in this course

  1. Connecting Node.js to MongoDB
  2. Mongoose ODM for Data Modeling
  3. CRUD Operations with Mongoose
  4. Querying & Filtering Data with Mongoose
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