> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://shivamgoyal.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Data Migration

> Learn how to migrate data between environments and import from external sources

# Data Migration

Data migration is the process of transferring data between different databases or environments. CodeNull provides powerful tools to help you import data from external sources and migrate between development, staging, and production environments.

## Migration Types

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Environment Migration" icon="exchange-alt">
    Move data between development, staging, and production
  </Card>

  <Card title="External Source Import" icon="file-import">
    Import data from other databases or platforms
  </Card>

  <Card title="Schema Evolution" icon="code-branch">
    Adapt data to schema changes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Backup & Restore" icon="server">
    Create and apply database backups
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Environment Migration

CodeNull makes it easy to move your data between different environments:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Migration Tool">
    From the Database Dashboard, click "Tools" → "Migration Manager"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Source Environment">
    Choose the environment containing the data you want to migrate (e.g., Development)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Target Environment">
    Choose the environment where you want to migrate the data (e.g., Production)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Migration">
    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/shivamgoyal/images/migration-configuration.png" alt="Migration Configuration Interface" />
    </Frame>

    Set options for your migration:

    * Collections/tables to include
    * Data transformation rules
    * Conflict resolution strategy
    * Schema validation behavior
    * Reference handling
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview Migration">
    Review a summary of the data that will be migrated:

    * Record counts by collection/table
    * Potential conflicts
    * Schema differences
    * Estimated migration time
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Migration">
    Click "Start Migration" to begin the process. A progress indicator will show the status.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Migration">
    After completion, review the migration report and validate the data in your target environment.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## External Source Import

Import data from external databases, APIs, or file formats:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Import Tool">
    From the Database Dashboard, click "Tools" → "External Import"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Import Source">
    Choose your external data source:

    * External database connection
    * API endpoint
    * File upload (CSV, JSON, SQL dump)
    * Cloud storage (S3, Google Cloud Storage)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Connection">
    Enter connection details for your source:

    * Connection strings
    * Authentication credentials
    * File paths or URLs
    * Query parameters
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map Data Structure">
    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/shivamgoyal/images/data-mapping-tool.png" alt="Data Mapping Tool" />
    </Frame>

    Define how external data maps to your CodeNull database:

    * Field mappings
    * Data transformations
    * Filter conditions
    * Relationship handling
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Import Options">
    Configure how the import should behave:

    * Handling duplicates (skip, update, create new)
    * Error handling
    * Batch size
    * Validation rules
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run Import">
    Start the import process and monitor progress.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Schema Evolution Migration

When your schema changes, you need to migrate existing data to match the new structure:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/shivamgoyal/images/schema-evolution-migration.png" alt="Schema Evolution Migration" />
</Frame>

CodeNull automatically detects schema changes and helps you migrate your data:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Field Additions">
    When you add new fields to your schema, CodeNull can:

    * Apply default values to existing records
    * Run custom functions to generate values
    * Flag records for review
    * Leave values as null/undefined
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Field Removals">
    When you remove fields from your schema, CodeNull can:

    * Preserve the data in a backup
    * Remove the data from all records
    * Archive the data in a separate collection
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Type Changes">
    When you change a field's data type, CodeNull can:

    * Attempt automatic conversion
    * Flag inconvertible values
    * Apply transformation functions
    * Roll back changes if conversion fails
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Relationship Changes">
    When you modify relationships between models, CodeNull can:

    * Update foreign keys
    * Rebuild references
    * Restructure embedded documents
    * Preserve relationship integrity
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Backup & Restore

Create and manage database backups with CodeNull's backup tools:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a Backup">
    From the Database Dashboard, click "Tools" → "Backup & Restore" → "Create Backup"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Backup">
    Set backup options:

    * Full database or selected collections/tables
    * Include indexes and schema
    * Compression level
    * Encryption (optional)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Execute Backup">
    Run the backup process and receive a downloadable backup file or store it in the cloud.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restore from Backup">
    To restore, select a backup file and choose restore options:

    * Full restore or selective collections
    * Conflict resolution strategy
    * Validation level
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Migration Strategies

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Big Bang Migration">
    Transfer all data in a single operation.

    **Best for**:

    * Small to medium databases
    * Non-critical applications
    * Development environments

    **Considerations**:

    * Requires downtime
    * All-or-nothing approach
    * Easier to implement
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Phased Migration">
    Migrate data in stages or batches.

    **Best for**:

    * Large databases
    * Production environments
    * Systems with high availability requirements

    **Considerations**:

    * More complex to implement
    * Requires synchronization between old and new data
    * Minimizes downtime
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Zero-Downtime Migration">
    Migrate with no service interruption.

    **Best for**:

    * Critical production systems
    * Applications requiring 24/7 availability

    **Considerations**:

    * Most complex approach
    * Requires dual-write capability
    * Needs comprehensive testing
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Data Transformation

During migration, you can transform your data using CodeNull's transformation tools:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/shivamgoyal/images/data-transformation-interface.png" alt="Data Transformation Interface" />
</Frame>

Available transformations include:

* **Value Mapping**: Convert values from one format to another
* **Date Formatting**: Standardize date formats
* **String Operations**: Concatenate, split, or format text
* **Mathematical Operations**: Perform calculations on numeric fields
* **Conditional Logic**: Apply different transformations based on conditions
* **Custom Functions**: Write JavaScript functions for complex transformations

## Migration Monitoring and Logging

Track your migration processes with comprehensive monitoring tools:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/shivamgoyal/images/migration-monitoring.png" alt="Migration Monitoring Dashboard" />
</Frame>

The monitoring interface provides:

* Real-time progress tracking
* Error logging and alerts
* Performance metrics
* Record counts by status
* Detailed audit logs
* Rollback capability

## Best Practices

<Tip>
  Always run a test migration with a subset of data before performing a full migration in production environments.
</Tip>

* **Create a migration plan**: Document your migration strategy and steps
* **Backup before migrating**: Always create backups before starting migrations
* **Validate post-migration**: Verify data integrity after migration completes
* **Consider performance impact**: Schedule migrations during low-traffic periods
* **Monitor during migration**: Watch for errors and performance issues
* **Test thoroughly**: Validate the migration process in a test environment
* **Document transformations**: Keep records of any data transformations applied

## Next Steps

After setting up your data migration processes, you might want to:

* Connect your database to your [API endpoints](/api-dashboard/endpoints-management)
* Set up [frontend components](/frontend-dashboard/component-toolbox) to display and interact with your data
* Configure [deployment settings](/deployment-dashboard/overview) for your application