> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.monitorss.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.monitorss.xyz/configuration/mongodb-vs-databaseless.md).

# MongoDB vs Databaseless

MongoDB is the database used to store persistent data such as guild data, feeds, old articles (for comparisons to see what is old and new) and blacklists.

Databaseless is when no database is used - allowing the bot to be deployed quicker with no database dependency, but at the expense of some features.

## The Differences

The differences are summarized below - otherwise, they are identical.

### MongoDB

Used by setting a [MongoDB URI](https://docs.mongodb.com/manual/reference/connection-string/) in [`config.database.uri`](https://github.com/synzen/Discord.RSS/wiki/Configuration), or if you're using Docker, the env variable `DRSS_DATABASE_URI`.

* Data stored in database
* Articles missing during bot downtime are delivered upon next startup

### Databaseless

Used by setting a folder path in [`config.database.uri`](https://github.com/synzen/Discord.RSS/wiki/Configuration), or if you're using Docker, the env variable `DRSS_DATABASE_URI`. Both relative and absolute paths are accepted. For example, `"./drss"` or `"/data/drss"`.

* Web interface is unavailable
* Data is stored as JSON files
* Articles missed during bot downtime are not delivered
* Destabilizes after thousands of JSON files
* Web interface is not supported
* Statistics as seen in the `stats` command
* The following configs have no effect:
  * `config.database.connection`
  * `config.database.articlesExpire`
  * `config.database.deliveryRecordsExpire`
  * `config.feeds.sendOldOnFirstCycle`
  * `config.feeds.cycleMaxAge`
  * `config.feeds.articleDailyChannelLimit`

**Memory use will increase during the bot's lifetime as more articles are sent since they are stored in memory for reference to decide whether future articles are new or old.**

## What should I use?

MongoDB as originally intended. However, because MongoDB only officially supports 64-bit OS, databaseless may be your only choice if your system is not 64-bit.


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