Introduction to MongoDB Realm for Backend Developers
As a backend developer, you can use MongoDB Realm to rapidly develop cloud-based applications. Realm apps can react to changes in your MongoDB Atlas data, connect that data to other systems, and scale to meet demand. Realm does this without the need to manage database and server infrastructure.
If you prefer working on mobile or web applications, check out the Introduction for Mobile Developers or the Introduction for Web Developers.
What Problem Does MongoDB Realm Solve?
It takes time, resources, and expertise to build, administer, and maintain backend infrastructure. However, a lot of these features are similar across applications. MongoDB Realm manages the backend infrastructure and user management for you. This frees you to focus on the features that makes your app special, not boilerplate code.
MongoDB Realm is:
- Serverless:
- Deploy server-side applications without having to set up and manage server infrastructure. Realm includes provisioning, deployment, operating systems, web servers, logging, backups, and redundancy.
- Run cloud-based Realm Functions that can crunch data or interact with Node.js modules.
- Skip writing an authentication API on top of your MongoDB Realm service. Authenticated clients can interact with parts of the database based on their permissions.
- Dynamic and responsive:
- React to data changes in MongoDB Atlas, process data from HTTPS endpoints, or run Realm Functions on a schedule with Realm Triggers.
- Get up and running quickly for free, then scale according to the demands of your application.
- Pay for and receive only the exact amount of compute you need at any given time with usage-based pricing. Usage under a certain amount per month is always free.
- Simply secure:
- Let users log in with familiar authentication providers that are built into MongoDB Realm.
- Control which users may read and write data on a per-field basis with role-based permissions that you can define declaratively or with a function.
- Enforce data integrity by defining validation logic with Realm Schema.
- Synchronized:
- Seamlessly sync data across devices with Realm Sync.
- Avoid writing complex synchronization logic with the Database SDKs.
Get Started with MongoDB Realm
To get started, follow our GitHub Issue Tracker tutorial or create a MongoDB Realm app.
Summary
- MongoDB Realm lets you deploy serverless applications without managing your own backend infrastructure.
Backend use cases for MongoDB Realm include:
- Crunching data
- Reacting to data changes in MongoDB Atlas
- Interacting with third-party services.
- MongoDB Realm's built-in authentication system simplifies user data access. You can add users to your app and define permissions that control who can read and write data.