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findAndModify

The findAndModify command is used to atomically modify and return a single document. This command is useful for operations that require reading and updating a document in a single step, ensuring data consistency. Common use cases include implementing counters, queues, and other atomic operations.

Syntax

The syntax for the findAndModify command is as follows:

db.collection.findAndModify({
   query: <document>,
   sort: <document>,
   remove: <boolean>,
   update: <document>,
   new: <boolean>,
   fields: <document>,
   upsert: <boolean>
})

Parameters

  • query: The selection criteria for the document to modify.
  • sort: Determines which document to modify if the query selects multiple documents.
  • remove: If true, removes the selected document.
  • update: The modifications to apply.
  • new: If true, returns the modified document rather than the original.
  • fields: Limits the fields to return for the matching document.
  • upsert: If true, creates a new document if no document matches the query.

Examples

Example 1: Update total sales

Suppose we want to update the total sales for the store with _id "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" to 550000.00 and return the updated document.

db.stores.findAndModify({
   query: { "_id": "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" },
   update: { $set: { "sales.totalSales": 550000.00 } },
   new: true
})

Sample output

[mongos] StoreData> db.stores.findAndModify({
...    query: { "_id": "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" },
...    update: { $set: { "sales.totalSales": 550000.00 } },
...    new: true
... })
{
  _id: 'e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926',
  name: "Marina's Eyewear Bargains",
  location: { lat: -87.4376, lon: 42.2928 },
  staff: { totalStaff: { fullTime: 20, partTime: 6 } },
  sales: {
    totalSales: 550000,
    salesByCategory: [
      { categoryName: 'Round Sunglasses', totalSales: 39621 },
      { categoryName: 'Reading Glasses', totalSales: 1146 },
      { categoryName: 'Aviators', totalSales: 9385 }
    ]
  },
  promotionEvents: [
    {
      eventName: 'Incredible Discount Days',
      promotionalDates: {
        startDate: { Year: 2024, Month: 2, Day: 11 },
        endDate: { Year: 2024, Month: 2, Day: 18 }
      },
      discounts: [
        { categoryName: 'Square Sunglasses', discountPercentage: 16 },
        { categoryName: 'Safety Glasses', discountPercentage: 17 },
        { categoryName: 'Wayfarers', discountPercentage: 7 },
        { categoryName: 'Eyewear Accessories', discountPercentage: 12 }
      ]
    }
],
  tag: [
    '#ShopLocal',
    '#FashionStore',
    '#SeasonalSale',
    '#FreeShipping',
    '#MembershipDeals'
  ]
}

Example 2: Add a new promotional event

Let's add a new promotional event called "Electronics Super Saver" to the store with _id_ "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" and return the updated document.

db.stores.findAndModify({
   query: { "_id": "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" },
   update: { $push: { "promotionEvents": {
       "eventName": "Electronics Super Saver",
       "promotionalDates": {
         "startDate": "2025-09-31",
         "endDate": "2025-09-31"
       },
       "discounts": [
         {
           "categoryName": "Laptops",
           "discountPercentage": 45
         },
         {
           "categoryName": "Smartphones",
           "discountPercentage": 25
         }
       ]
   }}},
   new: true
})

Sample output

[mongos] StoreData> db.stores.findAndModify({
...    query: { "_id": "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" },
...    update: { $push: { "promotionEvents": {
...        "eventName": "Electronics Super Saver",
...        "promotionalDates": {
...          "startDate": "2025-09-31",
...          "endDate": "2025-09-31"
...        },
...        "discounts": [
...          {
...            "categoryName": "Laptops",
...            "discountPercentage": 45
...          },
...          {
...            "categoryName": "Smartphones",
...            "discountPercentage": 25
...          }
...        ]
...    }}},
...    new: true
... })

{
  _id: 'e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926',
  name: "Marina's Eyewear Bargains",
  location: { lat: -87.4376, lon: 42.2928 },
  staff: { totalStaff: { fullTime: 20, partTime: 6 } },
  sales: {
    totalSales: 550000,
    salesByCategory: [
      { categoryName: 'Round Sunglasses', totalSales: 39621 },
      { categoryName: 'Reading Glasses', totalSales: 1146 },
      { categoryName: 'Aviators', totalSales: 9385 }
    ]
  },
  promotionEvents: [
    {
      eventName: 'Electronics Super Saver',
      promotionalDates: { startDate: '2025-09-31', endDate: '2025-09-31' },
      discounts: [
        { categoryName: 'Laptops', discountPercentage: 45 },
        { categoryName: 'Smartphones', discountPercentage: 25 }
      ]
    }
  ],
  tag: [
    '#ShopLocal',
    '#FashionStore',
    '#SeasonalSale',
    '#FreeShipping',
    '#MembershipDeals'
  ]
}

Example 3: Remove a promotional event

Suppose we want to remove the "Electronics Super Saver" promotional event from the store with _id "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" and return the original document.

db.stores.findAndModify({
   query: { "_id": "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" },
   update: { $pull: { "promotionEvents": { "eventName": "Electronics Super Saver" } } },
   new: true
})

Sample output

[mongos] StoreData> db.stores.findAndModify({
...    query: { "_id_": "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" },
...    update: { $pull: { "promotionEvents": { "eventName": "Electronics Super Saver" } } },
...    new: true
... })
null
[mongos] StoreData> db.stores.findAndModify({
...    query: { "_id": "e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926" },
...    update: { $pull: { "promotionEvents": { "eventName": "Electronics Super Saver" } } },
...    new: true
... })
{
  _id: 'e5767a9f-cd95-439c-9ec4-7ddc13d22926',
  name: "Marina's Eyewear Bargains",
  location: { lat: -87.4376, lon: 42.2928 },
  staff: { totalStaff: { fullTime: 20, partTime: 6 } },
  sales: {
    totalSales: 550000,
    salesByCategory: [
      { categoryName: 'Round Sunglasses', totalSales: 39621 },
      { categoryName: 'Reading Glasses', totalSales: 1146 },
      { categoryName: 'Aviators', totalSales: 9385 }
    ]
  },
  promotionEvents: [
    {
      eventName: 'Incredible Discount Days',
      promotionalDates: {
        startDate: { Year: 2024, Month: 2, Day: 11 },
        endDate: { Year: 2024, Month: 2, Day: 18 }
      },
      discounts: [
        { categoryName: 'Square Sunglasses', discountPercentage: 16 },
        { categoryName: 'Safety Glasses', discountPercentage: 17 },
        { categoryName: 'Wayfarers', discountPercentage: 7 },
        { categoryName: 'Eyewear Accessories', discountPercentage: 12 }
      ]
    }
  ],
  tag: [
    '#ShopLocal',
    '#FashionStore',
    '#SeasonalSale',
    '#FreeShipping',
    '#MembershipDeals'
  ]
}

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