How to Use MongoDB in VS Code

 

Introduction

MongoDB is a powerful NoSQL database that stores data in a flexible, document-oriented format using BSON. Visual Studio Code (VS Code), one of the most popular code editors, provides an integrated way to connect, manage, and query MongoDB databases using the official MongoDB extension.

This integration is especially helpful for developers and students, allowing them to work within a single environment to manage both code and databases efficiently.

Explanation

MongoDB works on collections and documents rather than tables and rows. With the help of VS Code and the MongoDB extension, users can perform operations such as connecting to a database, viewing collections, inserting documents, and executing queries—all from within the editor.

The extension offers a visual explorer, query playground, and easy connection setup, making it a convenient tool for both beginners and experienced developers.

Steps

i) Install MongoDB Locally or Use MongoDB Atlas

• Download and install MongoDB from mongodb.com or set up a cloud database using MongoDB Atlas.

ii) Install Visual Studio Code

• Download from code.visualstudio.com and install it on your system.
  
  
  

iii) Install MongoDB Extension in VS Code

• Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X), search for “MongoDB for VS Code”, and click Install.

iv) Connect to Your MongoDB Database

• Click on the MongoDB leaf icon on the activity bar.
• Use a connection string (local or Atlas) to connect to your database.

 

v) Browse and Manage Collections

• Once connected, collections will appear in the Explorer.
• You can view documents, create collections, and delete entries.

vi) Run Queries Using MongoDB Playground

• Create a new MongoDB Playground file.
• Run insert, find, or aggregation commands and see live results.

Future Scope

1.All-in-One Dev Environment:
VS Code and MongoDB integration will continue to evolve, becoming the default choice for full-stack development environments.

2.Improved Query Testing & Debugging:
Future extensions will offer enhanced error highlighting, auto-fix suggestions, and live query previews.

3.CI/CD Integration:
MongoDB operations in VS Code will be integrated into build pipelines for automatic testing and seeding of databases.

4.Better AI/ML Data Handling:
Playground features will support AI/ML use cases by enabling advanced data manipulation before feeding into models.

5.Cloud-Native Development:
With MongoDB Atlas, developers can directly deploy and manage databases from VS Code, allowing seamless collaboration and scaling.

 

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Shrikant Dere

University: Sri Balaji University, Pune

School: School of Computer Studies

Course: BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)

Interests: NoSQL, MongoDB, and related technologies

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