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Model One-to-One Relationships with Embedded Documents

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  • Embedded Document Pattern
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Create a data model that uses embedded documents to describe a one-to-one relationship between connected data. Embedding connected data in a single document can reduce the number of read operations required to obtain data. In general, structure your schema so your application receives all of its required information in a single read operation. For example, you can use the the embedded one-to-one model to describe the following relationships:

  • Country to capital city

  • User account to email address

  • Building to address

The example schema contains two entities, a patron and an address:

// patron document
{
_id: "joe",
name: "Joe Bookreader"
}
// address document
{
street: "123 Fake Street",
city: "Faketon",
state: "MA",
zip: "12345"
}

The address data is frequently retrieved with the patron information. To allow your application to retreive all necessary information with a single query, embed the address information inside of the patron document:

{
_id: "joe",
name: "Joe Bookreader",
address: {
street: "123 Fake Street",
city: "Faketon",
state: "MA",
zip: "12345"
}
}
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