GridFS - Storing and Retrieving Large Files in MongoDB

Explore how to use GridFS in MongoDB to store and retrieve large files efficiently, making it a suitable solution for handling binary data like images, videos, and more.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

• An active MongoDB deployment.
• Basic knowledge of MongoDB queries.

1. What is GridFS?

Learn what GridFS is and how it works. GridFS is a specification for storing large files in MongoDB, breaking them into smaller chunks and enabling efficient storage and retrieval.

2. Storing Large Files

Understand how to store large files in MongoDB using GridFS. Sample code to store a file:

// Open a file for reading
const fileStream = fs.createReadStream("largefile.bin");
// Create a writable stream in GridFS
const uploadStream = bucket.openUploadStream("largefile.bin");
// Pipe the file stream to GridFS
fileStream.pipe(uploadStream);
        

3. Retrieving Large Files

Learn how to retrieve large files from MongoDB using GridFS. Sample code to retrieve a file:

// Create a readable stream from GridFS
const downloadStream = bucket.openDownloadStreamByName("largefile.bin");
// Create a writable stream to save the file
const fileStream = fs.createWriteStream("largefile-downloaded.bin");
// Pipe the GridFS stream to the file stream
downloadStream.pipe(fileStream);
        

4. Metadata and Custom Data

Discover how to store metadata and custom data along with files in GridFS, allowing you to associate additional information with your stored files.

5. Dealing with Large Datasets

Explore strategies for efficiently handling large datasets with GridFS, including indexing and querying metadata.

6. Conclusion

You've learned how to use GridFS in MongoDB to store and retrieve large files. GridFS is a valuable tool for applications that require efficient management of binary data, making MongoDB a versatile database for various use cases.