Mongoose save() method not writing to database

Question

So I'm updating an attribute of a user sub document in mongoose, but it's not saving to my database.

Here's my function:

@User.findOne({'email': email}, (err, user) ->
    if err?
        callback(err)
    else if user?
        for account in user['accounts']
            if account['account_uuid'] is account_uuid

                account.state = "Verified"

                user.save((err, updated_user, numberTouched) ->
                    if err?
                        console.log err
                        return callback(err)
                    else
                        console.log 'Successfully verified account'
                        console.log updated_user

                        return callback(null, 'Successfully verified account')
                )
                return                        
        callback(new Error('No account for account_uuid'))
)

The really frustrating thing is that updated_user returns with the account.state attribute being "Verified" and the numberTouched variable returns as 1, meaning 1 document has been affected by the save. But when I check the user document in my DB, it's still the default value of "Pending".

Any thoughts?

P.S. I'm using a development database with MongoLab. But I don't think the problem is with them since I can update other attributes just fine.

Can you update your question to include your schema definition? — JohnnyHK, Jan 26 '14 at 04:42
I once fixed a similar issue using Mongoose's `.markModified()` function. Does it fix the issue in this case too? — Frax, Feb 13 '14 at 16:21
you might want to add an answer with explanation of what you had to do to fix it since someone else with similar problem might find this question. — Asya Kamsky, Mar 02 '14 at 09:42
My other favorite silent Mongoose failure: The database has not been connected to, and no error is through when querying it without a connection. — Mark Stosberg, May 13 '14 at 00:17
@ConnorBlack will you please post you fix to your question and mark it answered :) — secretformula, May 20 '14 at 20:56
Please post your answer and accept it, this question should not be in the "unanswered" tab anymore, 8 month after you did found how to fix it... — DrakaSAN, Sep 24 '14 at 12:29

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 11 '14 at 19:03

Assuming you are changing a mixed-type subdocument, you will need to call user.markModified('accounts') to let Mongoose know what's changed before you save.

However, if two of these operations happen concurrently, you could be losing data. I would recommend you use the findAndModify command, in conjunction with $elemMatch and $set operators.

score -1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 30 '14 at 01:00

In the line you're putting

for account in user['accounts']

you're creating a new variable, independent of the User model instance. You could use that variable to show the data (for example through a REST API) but not for modify the User model instance. aka. You are modifying another variable.

Instead, try to modify the user you're getting from the findOne() query and save it.

Mongoose save() method not writing to database

2 Answers2