‫الجم هــوريـة الجزائريــة الديمقراط ي ــة الشعب ي ــة‬

ⵜⴰⴳⴷⵓⴷⴰ ⵜⴰⴷⵣⴰⵢⵔⵉⵜ ⵜⴰⵎⴰⴳⴷⴰⵢⵜ ⵜⴰⵖⴻⵔⴼⴰⵏⵜ

People's Democratic Republic of Algeria
‫العلم‬
‫ي‬ ‫وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث‬
ⴰⵖⵍⵉⴼ ⵏ ⵓ ⵙⴻⵍⵎⴻⴷ ⵓⵏⵏⵉⴳ ⴷ ⵓⵏⴰⴷⵉ ⵓⵙⵙⵏⴰⵏ
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
‫األول لطلبة الدكتوراه الطور الثالث‬
‫ي‬ ‫اللجنة الوطنية ر‬
‫لإلشاف ومتابعة تنفيذ برنامج التكوين‬
National Steering and Monitoring Commission for the Implementation of the Early-stage Training Program for
Third-Stage Doctoral Students
‫البمجةي‬
‫اللجنة الوطنية البيداغوجية لمادة أساسيات وتقنيات ر‬
National Pedagogical Committee for Programming Fundamentals and Techniques

EARLY-STAGE TRAINING OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS

SUBJECT: PROGRAMMING FUNDAMENTALS & TECHNIQUES

PART III. FILE AND DATABASE HANDLING

PART III.2 DATABASE HANDLING IN PYTHON
PART III.2.2 NOSQL DATABASES
Academic Year Pr. Nait Bahloul Safia — [Link]@[Link]
2025/2026 Computer Science Department, Oran 1 University Ahmed Benbella, Algeria.
Course Outline

1 NoSQL Databases

2 Object Relational Mapping (ORMs)

3 Store and Retreive Data with REST APIs

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What is a NoSQL Database?

Definition
A NoSQL database stores data without fixed tables, unlike SQL databases.
It’s like a flexible notebook for information.
Key Features
Flexible Schema: Data structure can change anytime, unlike fixed
tables in SQL.
Allows adding new fields, like grades or courses, without redefining the
database.
Use case: Storing varied student data in a university system.
Document-Oriented Storage: Data is stored as JSON-like
documents, not tables.
Documents group related data, like a student’s name, major, and
grades.
Simplifies storing complex data without multiple tables.

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What is a NoSQL Database?

BASE Compliance: Ensures performance for large-scale apps

through:
Basically Available – Data is accessible even during failures.
Soft State – Data may change without immediate consistency.
Eventual Consistency – Updates spread across servers over time.
Varied Data Models: Supports multiple formats beyond documents.

Examples: Key-value, column-family, graph databases.

Example use case: Storing student connections in a graph for social
analysis.
Horizontal Scalability: Grows by adding servers, not bigger
machines.
Handles large datasets.
Cost-effective for big apps compared to SQL’s vertical scaling.
Use case
Perfect for apps with rapidly changing data.
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2. Examples of NoSQL Databases

Document-oriented: MongoDB, CouchDB

Key-value stores: Redis, DynamoDB
Column-family: Cassandra, HBase
Graph databases: Neo4j

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Introduction to MongoDB

Definition
MongoDB is a popular NoSQL database that stores data as JSON-like
documents.
Key Features

Document-oriented: Data stored in flexible “documents.”

Scalable: Handles large datasets for big apps.

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MongoDB Document Example
Definition
A collection in MongoDB is like a Table in SQL, a collection can hold
multiple Documents. A document is like a row in SQL but can have
different fields.
Example: Student Document
{
student_id: 1,
name: "Ahmed",
major: "Computer Science"
}

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MongoDB Operations Overview

Basic Functions
MongoDB operations manage data in collections, MongoDB can perform
the same operations as in SQL.
Create: Add new documents, e.g., inserting a new student.
Read: Retrieve documents, e.g., finding students by major.
Update: Modify existing documents, e.g., changing a student’s email
address.
Delete: Remove documents, e.g., deleting a student record.

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MongoDB Operations Overview

SQL Equivalents

Operation SQL Equivalent MongoDB Operation

Create INSERT INTO insert many, insert one
Read SELECT find, find one
Update UPDATE update many, update one
Delete DELETE delete many, delete one

Note
These operations can be performed:
Directly in the mongo shell using MongoDB commands.
Through a programming language like Python.
We will be using Python with the pymongo library for this course.

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Connecting Python to MongoDB

Definition
We will use Python with pymongo to connect to MongoDB and manage
data.

Before we can perform the operations, we need first to connect to the

database, then select our database name (e.g university) and choose a
collection (e.g students).

Example: Connecting to MongoDB

from pymongo import MongoClient

client = MongoClient('mongodb://localhost:27017/')
db = client['university']
collection = db['students']

Use Case
Build a student management system to store and retrieve records.

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Inserting Data in MongoDB

Definition
Add new data (documents) to a MongoDB collection, like adding a
student.
Example: Insert a Student
collection.insert_one({
"student_id": 1,
"name": "Ahmed",
"major": "Computer Science"
})

SQL Equivalent
INSERT INTO student (student_id, name, major)
VALUES (1, 'Ahmed', 'Computer Science');

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Finding Data in MongoDB

Definition
Search for documents in a collection, like finding students by major.

Example: Find Students

students = [Link]({"major": "Computer Science"})
for student in students:
print(student)

SQL Equivalent
SELECT * FROM student WHERE major = 'Computer Science';

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Updating Data in MongoDB

Definition
Change existing documents, like updating a student’s major.

Example: Update a Student

collection.update_one(
{"name": "Ahmed"},
{"$set": {"major": "Data Science"}}
)

SQL Equivalent

UPDATE student
SET major = 'Data Science'
WHERE name = 'Ahmed';

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Deleting Data in MongoDB

Definition
Remove documents from a collection, like deleting a student.
Example: Delete a Student

collection.delete_one({"name": "Ahmed"})

SQL Equivalent

DELETE FROM student WHERE name = 'Ahmed';

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Error Handling in MongoDB

Definition
Catch mistakes, like connection issues or duplicate data, to keep your app
running.
Common Errors

Can’t connect to MongoDB server.

Adding a student with the same ID twice.
Why Handle Errors?
Prevents crashes and shows helpful messages, like “Student already exists.”

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Error Handling Example

Definition
Use try and except in Python to handle MongoDB errors.
Example: Catching Duplicate ID

from [Link] import DuplicateKeyError

try:
collection.create_index("student_id", unique=True)
collection.insert_one({"student_id": 1, "name": "Ahmed"})
except DuplicateKeyError:
print("Error: Student ID already exists!")

Best practices: Always use error handling when doing DB queries.

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Indexing in MongoDB

Definition
Indexes make searches faster, but only when you query on an indexed field.

Example: Indexing Student ID

collection.create_index("student_id")

Benefits
Faster queries for large datasets.
Enforces unique data, like student IDs.

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SQL vs. NoSQL: When to Choose NoSQL

Flexible Data Needs: NoSQL allows changing data structure

without redefining tables.
SQL: Fixed schema requires predefined columns.
NoSQL: Add fields like student hobbies or courses anytime.
Use case: Managing varied student profiles in a university app.
Complex or Nested Data: NoSQL stores data in documents, ideal
for hierarchical information.
SQL: Uses multiple tables with joins for related data.
NoSQL: Stores student details (e.g., grades, address) in one document.
Use case: Tracking student grades and extracurriculars together.
Large-Scale Data: NoSQL scales across multiple servers for big
datasets.
SQL: Scales by upgrading hardware, which is costlier.
NoSQL: Handles thousands of student records efficiently.
Use case: Managing data for a large university system.

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SQL vs. NoSQL: When to Choose NoSQL

Rapid Development: NoSQL’s flexibility speeds up app creation.

SQL: Schema changes slow down development.
NoSQL: Quick to add new features, like student feedback forms.
Use case: Building a student portal with evolving needs.
Eventual Consistency Needs: NoSQL prioritizes availability over
immediate consistency.
SQL: Ensures strict consistency with ACID transactions.
NoSQL: Allows updates to sync later for better performance.
Use case: Real-time student app with frequent updates.

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What is an ORM?

Definition
Object-Relational Mapper: A tool that connects Python objects to SQL
database tables.
Maps classes to tables and objects to rows.
It allows developers to work on Databases using Classes and Objects
in OOP languages.

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Features of an ORM

Simplifies Database Work: Replaces raw SQL with Python code.

Write Python classes instead of CREATE TABLE queries.
Call class methods instead of writing SELECT or INSERT queries.
Supports SQL and NoSQL Databases: Works with databases like
MySQL or PostgreSQL, but also with MongoDB.
Translates Python operations to SQL commands automatically.
Some ORMs allow developers to switch from SQL to NoSQL databases
without rewriting all their queries.
Popular ORM Example: SQLAlchemy is widely used in Python.
Flexible and works with or without frameworks.
Simplifies tasks like adding or querying students.

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When Do We Need ORMs?

Complex Applications: ORMs simplify managing multiple tables

and relationships.
SQL: Requires writing many queries for students, lecturers, and courses.
ORM: Uses Python classes to handle relationships easily.
Use case: Tracking student enrollments in courses.
Faster Development: ORMs reduce repetitive SQL coding.
Write less code to add, update, or query data.
Example: Quickly add a new student to the database.
Safer Code: ORMs prevent errors like SQL injection.
Automatically handle query safety.
Use case: Securely store and retrieve student emails and passwords for
login.
Easy Database Switching: Change databases without rewriting
code.
Switch from MySQL to PostgreSQL with minimal changes.
Use case: Testing a student app on different databases.

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ORM Example

The example below defines a student Table as a Python class using

SQLAlchemy.
Example: Student Class

from sqlalchemy import Column, Integer, String

from [Link] import declarative_base

Base = declarative_base()

class Student(Base):
__tablename__ = 'students'
student_id = Column(Integer, primary_key=True)
name = Column(String)
major = Column(String)

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Using an ORM class

Use the student class to add and query data without writing SQL.
Example: Adding and Querying a Student

from [Link] import sessionmaker

Session = sessionmaker(bind=engine)
session = Session()

# Add a student
new_student = Student(student_id=1, name="Ahmed", major="Computer Science")
[Link](new_student)
[Link]()

# Query a student
student = [Link](Student).filter_by(name="Ahmed").first()
print([Link])

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Use Cases for REST APIs

Safe Database Access: REST APIs allow controlled access to the

database over the web.
Expose only specific data, like student names, not the entire database.
Use case: Displaying student records on a website, with a separate
frontend and backend.
Web Integration: Connects the database to web or mobile apps.
Users can view or update data via a browser or app.
Scalable Interaction: Handles multiple users accessing data at once.

Supports many requests, like students registering for courses.

Standardized Communication: Uses HTTP methods (GET, POST)
for consistency.
Easy for developers to integrate with other systems.
Helps write reusable endpoints for App developers.

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What is Flask?

Definition : Flask is a Web Framework: a tool to build web applications.

It allows to create web pages or APIs to interact with databases.
Key Features
Lightweight and Flexible: Easy to learn and customize.
Minimal setup for small projects like a student app.
Works well with MongoDB’s data format.
REST API Support: Creates endpoints for database operations.
Example: An endpoint to list all students.
Example: An endpoint to register a new student.
Installation: Simple to set up with Python.
Install using pip install flask.
Quick start for beginners
[Link]

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REST API Use Case with Flask

Create a REST API with Flask to display MongoDB student data on the
web.
Example: List Students
from flask import Flask
from pymongo import MongoClient

app = Flask(__name__)
client = MongoClient('mongodb://localhost:27017/')
db = client['university']
students = db['students']

@[Link]('/students')
def get_students():
student_list = list([Link]({}, {'_id': 0}))
return student_list

Usage
We can fetch students by sending a GET HTTP request to the /students
URL.

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