Is it possible to use MongoDB on Apollo Server without the use of anything related to Express?

[bchehraz]

Hello,

This might be a super general and vague question to ask- I just want to know if it's possible to set up Apollo Server/GraphQL & also run MongoDB (using Mongoose) in the same project. I'm new to all this tech.

I was under the impression that you'd be able to run Apollo Server and MongoDB without Express, but every tutorial I find online is using both Apollo Server AND Express. I was under the impression that Express and Apollo did the same job and that there was no reason to have both...

Thank you

[selipso]

I don't think this is how Apollo Server works. Although Apollo adds a GraphQL wrapper around a node server to handle GraphQL queries, you still need a node server to wrap around underneath (provided by Express, Koa, and other frameworks that Apollo is compatible with).

If you are looking for a more batteries-included solution, you may want to look at Prisma, which will soon release the beta version of its MongoDB connector that you can follow along its progress here. Prisma uses Apollo Server underneath the hood and sets up a graphql-express server for you with nice default values.

[eberhara]

As @selipso said, apollo-server is a graphql wrapper around a nodejs server, which is commonly an express server.
The choices you make behind the graphql wrapper is really up to you. So yes, it is definitely possible to use mondogb along with apollo. However, you still need a nodejs server.

[jasonpaulos]

Hi everyone, I'm going to close this since this doesn't appear to be a bug with Apollo Server, but rather a question about how to use it or one of its components.

Rather than asking it here in GitHub Issues — where efforts are focused on fixing bugs and adding new features — I recommend directing further questions to the Apollo Server channel within the Apollo community on Spectrum.chat where there are community members who might be able to relate to a similar problem, or might be able to help you out more interactively. Thanks for your understanding!