Session and transaction syntax in MongoDB - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a session in MongoDB?

A session in MongoDB is a context for performing operations that can be grouped together, such as transactions. It helps track and manage these operations consistently.

beginner

How do you start a transaction in MongoDB using a session?

You start a transaction by calling session.startTransaction() after starting a session with client.startSession().

beginner

What is the purpose of commitTransaction() in MongoDB?

The commitTransaction() method finalizes the transaction, making all changes permanent in the database.

beginner

How do you abort a transaction in MongoDB?

You abort a transaction by calling session.abortTransaction(). This cancels all changes made during the transaction.

intermediate

Show the basic syntax to run a transaction in MongoDB using a session.

const session = client.startSession();
try {
  session.startTransaction();
  // Perform database operations here
  await session.commitTransaction();
} catch (error) {
  await session.abortTransaction();
} finally {
  session.endSession();
}

Which method starts a transaction in MongoDB?

A db.transactionStart()

B client.beginTransaction()

C session.startTransaction()

D session.begin()

The correct method to start a transaction in MongoDB is session.startTransaction().

What does commitTransaction() do?

A Cancels the transaction

B Ends the session

C Starts a new transaction

D Makes all transaction changes permanent

commitTransaction() finalizes the transaction and saves all changes.

How do you properly end a session in MongoDB?

A session.close()

B session.endSession()

C client.end()

D db.closeSession()

You end a session by calling session.endSession().

If an error occurs during a transaction, what should you do?

A Call session.abortTransaction()

B Call session.commitTransaction()

C Ignore the error

D Restart the client

You should abort the transaction with session.abortTransaction() to cancel changes.

Which of these is NOT part of MongoDB transaction syntax?

A rollbackTransaction()

B commitTransaction()

C abortTransaction()

D startTransaction()

MongoDB uses abortTransaction() to cancel transactions, not rollbackTransaction().

Explain the steps to perform a transaction in MongoDB using sessions.

Think about how you group multiple operations safely.

Describe what happens when you call abortTransaction() during a MongoDB transaction.

Consider what happens if something goes wrong.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using startSession() in MongoDB?

easy

A. To commit changes to the database

B. To begin a session that groups operations for transactions

C. To abort a running transaction

D. To create a new database

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of sessions

   Sessions in MongoDB group multiple operations so they can be executed as a single unit.

2. Step 2: Identify what startSession() does

   This method starts a new session to enable transactions or grouped operations.

3. Final Answer:

   To begin a session that groups operations for transactions -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   startSession() starts a session [OK]

Hint: Sessions group operations; startSession() begins it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing startSession() with commitTransaction()
• Thinking startSession() commits or aborts transactions
• Assuming startSession() creates a database

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to start a transaction in a MongoDB session named session?

easy

A. session.beginTransaction()

B. session.transactionStart()

C. session.startTransaction()

D. session.openTransaction()

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the MongoDB transaction method

   The correct method to start a transaction on a session object is startTransaction().

2. Step 2: Check each option's syntax

   Only session.startTransaction() matches the official MongoDB API.

3. Final Answer:

   session.startTransaction() -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   startTransaction() starts transactions [OK]

Hint: Use startTransaction() to begin transactions on sessions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using beginTransaction() which is not a MongoDB method
• Mixing method names like transactionStart()
• Using openTransaction() which does not exist

3. Given the following code snippet, what will be the output if the transaction commits successfully?

const session = client.startSession();
session.startTransaction();
await collection.insertOne({name: 'Alice'}, {session});
await session.commitTransaction();
session.endSession();
console.log('Transaction complete');

medium

A. No output

B. Transaction aborted

C. SyntaxError

D. Transaction complete

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the transaction flow

   The code starts a session, begins a transaction, inserts a document, commits the transaction, and ends the session.

2. Step 2: Determine the output after commit

   Since commitTransaction() is awaited and no errors occur, the console.log will print 'Transaction complete'.

3. Final Answer:

   Transaction complete -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Successful commit logs 'Transaction complete' [OK]

Hint: commitTransaction() success leads to 'Transaction complete' log [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming commitTransaction() throws error without cause
• Thinking session.endSession() prevents console.log
• Confusing commitTransaction() with abortTransaction()

4. Identify the error in the following MongoDB transaction code:

const session = client.startSession();
session.startTransaction();
await collection.insertOne({item: 'book'});
await session.commitTransaction();
session.endSession();

medium

A. Missing session option in insertOne operation

B. startSession() should be called after startTransaction()

C. commitTransaction() should be called before insertOne

D. endSession() should be called before commitTransaction()

Solution

1. Step 1: Review transaction usage in operations

   Operations inside a transaction must include the session option to be part of it.

2. Step 2: Check the insertOne call

   The insertOne call lacks the {session} option, so it is not part of the transaction.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing session option in insertOne operation -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Operations need {session} to join transaction [OK]

Hint: Include {session} in operations inside transactions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Calling startSession() after startTransaction()
• Calling commitTransaction() before operations
• Ending session before committing transaction

5. You want to ensure that either all writes in a batch succeed or none do in MongoDB. Which sequence of commands correctly implements this using sessions and transactions?

hard

A. const session = client.startSession(); session.startTransaction(); await collection.insertOne(doc1, {session}); await collection.insertOne(doc2, {session}); await session.commitTransaction(); session.endSession();

B. const session = client.startSession(); await collection.insertOne(doc1); await collection.insertOne(doc2); session.startTransaction(); await session.commitTransaction(); session.endSession();

C. const session = client.startSession(); session.startTransaction(); await collection.insertOne(doc1); await collection.insertOne(doc2); session.abortTransaction(); session.endSession();

D. const session = client.startSession(); await session.startTransaction(); await collection.insertOne(doc1, {session}); await collection.insertOne(doc2, {session}); await session.abortTransaction(); session.endSession();

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand transaction requirements

   All operations must be inside a started transaction and include the session option.

2. Step 2: Evaluate each option

   const session = client.startSession(); session.startTransaction(); await collection.insertOne(doc1, {session}); await collection.insertOne(doc2, {session}); await session.commitTransaction(); session.endSession(); correctly starts a session, starts a transaction, performs writes with session, commits, and ends session. Others either miss session in operations, start transaction late, or abort instead of commit.

3. Final Answer:

   const session = client.startSession(); session.startTransaction(); await collection.insertOne(doc1, {session}); await collection.insertOne(doc2, {session}); await session.commitTransaction(); session.endSession(); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Start session, startTransaction, ops with session, commit, endSession [OK]

Hint: Start session, startTransaction, ops with session, commit, endSession [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not passing {session} in operations
• Starting transaction after operations
• Aborting instead of committing for success