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Populating Data for MongoDB with Mongoose

When you’re working with databases in a project, often you need to bring together data from different tables or collections. In Mongoose, which is a tool for MongoDB, this is called ‘populating’. Think of it like inviting guests (data) from different houses (collections) to a party (your query).

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How We Do It

Special Boxes for Each Data Type: We create a class for each data type, like UserPopulate for Users. It’s like a box with different compartments. Pockets for Different Needs: Inside each class, we have static methods, like pockets. These methods are like different sets of instructions on what to grab from other tables. For instance, DEFAULT() might be one set of instructions, and DASHBOARD() another.

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Example

In our project, we have something like UserPopulate. This class has methods like DEFAULT() and DASHBOARD(). Each one tells Mongoose what extra data to grab and from where, depending on what you’re trying to show or do. This way, everything is neat and easy to use. You don’t have to write new instructions every time; just use the predefined ones, like picking a ready-to-go pocket from your box! 
export class UserPopulate {
  static DEFAULT() {
    return [
      {
        path: "studios",
        select: StudioProjection.DEFAULT(),
      },
    ];
  }

  static DASHBOARD() {
    return [
      {
        path: "studios",
        select: StudioProjection.DEFAULT(),
      },
      {
        path: "groups",
        select: GroupProjection.DEFAULT(),
      },
    ];
  }
}