Introduction
MongoDB Shell, commonly called mongosh, is the command-line interface used to interact directly with MongoDB. It allows you to connect to a MongoDB server, switch databases, create collections, insert documents, search data, and manage databases using commands. In this chapter, you will practice the most useful mongosh commands step by step so you can become comfortable working with MongoDB from the terminal. MongoDB Shell mongosh Practice Questions with Solutions to help you understand the concepts.
Q1. Start MongoDB Shell using mongosh
Problem Statement
Open the MongoDB Shell and connect to the MongoDB server running on your local computer.
MongoDB Command / Query
mongosh
Expected Output
Current Mongosh Log ID: 123456789
Connecting to: mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017/
Using MongoDB: 8.x.x
Using Mongosh: 2.x.x
test>
Explanation
The mongosh command starts the MongoDB Shell and normally connects to a MongoDB server running on the default local address:
mongodb://127.0.0.1:27017
The prompt such as:
test>
means you are now inside mongosh.
Q2. Check the current database
Problem Statement
After entering mongosh, find out which database you are currently using.
MongoDB Command / Query
db
Expected Output
test
Explanation
The db command displays the name of the database currently selected in mongosh.
Q3. Display the current database using getName()
Problem Statement
Use a MongoDB Shell method to display the name of the current database.
MongoDB Command / Query
db.getName()
Expected Output
test
Explanation
db.getName() returns the name of the database represented by the current db object.
This is useful when you want to explicitly check the database name in a script or while working with several databases.
Q4. Display all available databases
Problem Statement
Use mongosh to display the databases that your current MongoDB user can access.
MongoDB Command / Query
show dbs
Expected Output
admin 40.00 KiB
config 72.00 KiB
local 72.00 KiB
school 40.00 KiB
Explanation
show dbs is a mongosh shell helper that lists databases available to your current user.
The exact databases and sizes will be different on your computer.
A newly selected database may not appear in
show dbsuntil it contains stored data.
Q5. Switch to another database
Problem Statement
Switch from the current database to a database named mongosh_practice.
MongoDB Command / Query
use mongosh_practice
Expected Output
switched to db mongosh_practice
Explanation
The use command changes the database that your db variable refers to.
Now check it:
db
Expected:
mongosh_practice
The database may not physically appear in show dbs until you store some data in it.
Q6. Create a collection and insert a document
Problem Statement
Inside the mongosh_practice database, create a students collection and insert one student document.
MongoDB Command / Query
db.students.insertOne({
name: "Rahul",
age: 15,
course: "Python"
})
Expected Output
{
acknowledged: true,
insertedId: ObjectId('...')
}
Explanation
MongoDB can create the students collection automatically when the first document is inserted.
The document contains:
name → Rahul
age → 15
course → Python
insertedId is the unique _id generated for the document.
Q7. Display collections in the current database
Problem Statement
After creating the students collection, use mongosh to display the collections available in the current database.
MongoDB Command / Query
show collections
Expected Output
students
Explanation
show collections is a mongosh helper that displays collections in the currently selected database.
Since Question 6 created the students collection, it should now appear here.
Q8. Find documents from a collection
Problem Statement
Display all documents stored inside the students collection.
MongoDB Command / Query
db.students.find()
Expected Output
[
{
_id: ObjectId('...'),
name: 'Rahul',
age: 15,
course: 'Python'
}
]
Explanation
The find() method retrieves documents from a collection.
Here:
db.students.find()
means:
db→ current databasestudents→ collectionfind()→ retrieve documents
Q9. Find a student using a filter
Problem Statement
Find only the student whose course is "Python".
MongoDB Command / Query
db.students.find({
course: "Python"
})
Expected Output
[
{
_id: ObjectId('...'),
name: 'Rahul',
age: 15,
course: 'Python'
}
]
Explanation
The object inside find() is called a query filter.
{
course: "Python"
}
MongoDB searches for documents where the course field has the value "Python".
Q10. Exit MongoDB Shell
Problem Statement
After completing your MongoDB work, close the mongosh session.
MongoDB Command / Query
exit
Expected Output
Bye
You can also use:
quit()
Explanation
Both exit and quit() can be used to leave the MongoDB Shell.
After exiting, you will return to your normal operating-system terminal.
Key Takeaways
mongoshis the command-line shell for working with MongoDB.mongoshconnects to a MongoDB server.dbshows the current database.db.getName()returns the current database name.show dbsdisplays accessible databases.use databaseNameswitches databases.show collectionsdisplays collections in the current database.insertOne()inserts a document.find()retrieves documents.- Query filters allow you to search for specific documents.
exitorquit()closes the MongoDB Shell.
FAQs
1. What is MongoDB Shell (mongosh)?
MongoDB Shell, or mongosh, is the command-line interface used to connect to MongoDB and execute MongoDB commands and queries.
2. How do I start mongosh?
Open your terminal or command prompt and run:
mongosh
MongoDB Server should be running for a normal local connection.
3. What is the difference between mongosh and MongoDB Compass?
mongosh is a command-line interface where you work using commands, while MongoDB Compass is a graphical user interface (GUI) for working with MongoDB.
4. What does the db command do in mongosh?
The db command displays the name of the database currently selected in the shell.
5. How do I switch databases in mongosh?
Use the use command:
use school
This switches the current database to school.
6. How do I see collections in mongosh?
Use:
show collections
It displays the collections available in the current database.
7. How do I exit mongosh?
You can use either:
exit
or:
quit()
Both close the current MongoDB Shell session.
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Written by Shubhranshu Shekhar, who has trained 20000+ students in coding.
