How do you design a database schema for a Node.js app?
Start with the queries you will run. For NoSQL, embed small coupled data, reference large or shared data, use Mongoose for schema management. For SQL, normalize and use migrations. Design for queries, not for storage elegance.
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More FAQs in Database Interview Questions for Node.js Developers
SQL is relational with tables, rows, fixed schema, ACID transactions, and complex joins. NoSQL is non-relational with flexible schemas, designed for horizontal scaling and document-like data. Choose based on data shape and query patterns.
Embed stores nested data within a document for fast reads with duplication. Reference stores related data by id for consistency, requiring populate. Embed for always-read-together data; reference for shared or large data.
Because they make queries fast. Without indexes, queries scan the entire collection, which gets slow as data grows. Add indexes on frequently queried fields like email and userIds. Profile slow queries with explain.
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