FAQ’s on Working with Azure Cosmos DB and the JavaScript SDK

Here are the FAQs which should help you get started with ‘working with Azure Cosmos DB and the JavaScript SDK’:

1. What is Azure Cosmos DB, and how does it relate to the JavaScript SDK?

Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed, multi-model database service on Microsoft Azure that supports document, key-value, wide-column, and graph databases.

The JavaScript SDK is a client library that allows you to interact with Cosmos DB from JavaScript-based applications.

2. How do I install and set up the Azure Cosmos DB JavaScript SDK?

You can install the SDK via npm or yarn: npm install @azure/cosmos.

You will need your Cosmos DB account endpoint and key to create an instance of the CosmosClient class.

You can find these in the Azure Portal or use the Azure CLI to get them.

3. How do I create a new database and container using the JavaScript SDK?

You can use the @azure/cosmos SDK to create a database and container by sending appropriate requests to the Cosmos DB service. Ensure you have the necessary permissions and authentication set up.

4. What data models does Azure Cosmos DB support, and how does the JavaScript SDK handle them?

Azure Cosmos DB supports multiple data models, including document, key-value, graph, and column-family. The JavaScript SDK allows you to work with these models seamlessly using JavaScript or TypeScript.

5. What are the different APIs supported by Azure Cosmos DB, and which one should I use with the JavaScript SDK?

Azure Cosmos DB supports several APIs, including Core (SQL), MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, and Table.

You should choose the API that aligns with your application’s data model. The JavaScript SDK primarily works with the Core (SQL) API.

6. How can I secure access to my Cosmos DB resources when using the JavaScript SDK?

You can secure access using master keys, resource tokens, or Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) authentication. Always follow best practices for securely storing and managing keys or tokens.

7. What are Request Units (RUs), and how do I calculate and manage them using the JavaScript SDK?

Request Units (RUs) represent the throughput capacity in Cosmos DB. You can calculate and manage RUs using the SDK by specifying the RU consumption for each operation or by enabling automatic RU provisioning.

8. How do I perform CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations on documents with the JavaScript SDK?

You can use the JavaScript SDK to create, read, update, and delete documents in Cosmos DB containers by invoking appropriate methods like ‘container.items.create’, ‘container.item.read’, ‘container.item.replace’, and ‘container.item.delete’.

9. What is the recommended way to handle errors and exceptions when working with the JavaScript SDK?

The SDK provides error handling mechanisms, including exception handling and error codes. Implement try-catch blocks or use promises to handle errors gracefully.

10. How do I query data in Cosmos DB using the JavaScript SDK?

You can use the ‘container.items.query’ method to perform SQL-like queries on documents within a container. Ensure you define proper indexes to optimize query performance.

11. Is there a recommended design pattern for handling Cosmos DB connections and reusing clients in JavaScript applications?

It’s recommended to use a singleton pattern to manage Cosmos DB client instances for efficiency and resource management.

12. How do I monitor and troubleshoot performance issues with the JavaScript SDK?

Utilize logging, error handling, and Azure Monitor to monitor and troubleshoot performance issues. You can enable diagnostic logs and metrics to gain insights into SDK performance.

Azure Cosmos DB is a No SQL database service that supports flexible schemas and hierarchical data for modern applications. It is a globally distributed, multi-model database service that supports document, key-value, wide-column, and graph databases. Azure Cosmos DB service takes care of database administration, updates, patching, and scaling. It also provides cost-effective serverless and automatic scaling options that match capacity with demand. Cosmos DB integrates with other Azure services and tools, such as Azure Functions, IoT Hub, AKS (Azure Kubernetes Service), App Service, and more. The Azure SDK for JavaScript is a collection of libraries that you can use to interact with various Azure services from your JavaScript applications. It supports both Node.js and browser environments.

In this article, we will learn about working with ‘Azure Cosmos DB and the JavaScript SDK’. CRUD operations and other common operations on Azure Cosmos DB resources can be done using the JavaScript SDK. The Cosmos DB JavaScript SDK is primarily meant for use in Node.js applications.

To work with Azure Cosmos DB, the user needs to create the Cosmos DB by configuring it from the Azure Portal. If you already have an Azure Cosmos DB you can use it by following the steps after the ‘creation of Azure Cosmos DB’. As a prerequisite, users need to have an Azure subscription.