How can I list all collections in the MongoDB shell?

📋 How to List All Collections in the MongoDB Shell

So, you're diving deep into MongoDB and find yourself wondering 🤔 how to list all collections in the MongoDB shell? Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll walk you through the process step by step, providing easy solutions to common issues you might encounter along the way. Let's get started!

🚀 Getting Started

To list all collections in the MongoDB shell, follow these simple steps:

1. Open your MongoDB shell.

2. Use the use command to switch to the desired database.

   > use your_database_name

Great! Now, here comes the main question: How do you list all collections of the current database? Let's find out!

💡 Method 1: Using the show collections Command

One way to list all collections is by using the handy show collections command. Simply enter this command in your MongoDB shell, and voilà! 🎉

> show collections

This command will display a list of all the collections in the current database you're connected to. It's as simple as that!

💡 Method 2: Querying the system.namespaces Collection

Another approach is to query the system.namespaces collection directly. This collection holds information about all the collections within a database.

To list all collections using this method, execute the following query in your MongoDB shell:

> db.getCollectionInfos()

This will retrieve an array of objects, where each object represents a collection in the database. You can extract the collection names using a simple forEach loop.

🐛 Troubleshooting

Cannot Find Any Collections?

If you can't find any collections when using either of the above methods, here are a few things you can check:

1. Confirm that you're connected to the correct database using the use command.

2. Verify that you have the necessary permissions to view collections within the database.

If none of the above suggestions help, it's possible that there are no collections present in the database.

👩‍💻 Practice Time!

Now that you know how to list all collections in the MongoDB shell, it's time to put your newfound knowledge into practice! Open your MongoDB shell and list all collections in the database you're currently using.

Feel free to experiment with different databases and see what comes up. Have fun exploring! 🚀

✨ Conclusion

Listing all collections in the MongoDB shell is a breeze once you know the right commands. In this guide, we've covered two simple methods to help you achieve this task. Remember, you can use the show collections command or query the system.namespaces collection directly. Keep practicing and exploring the MongoDB universe.

Don't hesitate to share your experiences with us! What other MongoDB topics would you like to learn about? Comment below and let's start a conversation! 😁📢