Author: John Au-Yeung

Sometimes, we want to turn a Mongoose document into a plain object.

In this article, we’ll look at how to turn a Mongoose document into a plain object.

How to turn a Mongoose document into a plain object?

To turn a Mongoose document into a plain object, we can use the lean method.

For instance, we write

MyModel.findOne().lean().exec((err, doc) => {
  doc.addedProperty = 'foobar';
});

to call lean on the document returned by findOne.

Then we get the plain object version of the document from doc in the callback that we call exec with.

Conclusion

To turn a Mongoose document into a plain object, we can use the lean method.

Sometimes, we want to compare Mongoose _id and strings.

In this article, we’ll look at how to compare Mongoose _id and strings.

How to compare Mongoose _id and strings?

To compare Mongoose _id and strings, we can convert the _id to a string with the toString method.

For instance, we write

results.userId === AnotherMongoDocument._id.toString()

to convert the _id property of AnotherMongoDocument to a string with toString.

We can also use the equals method of a Mongoose document object to do the same comparison.

For instance, we write

results.userId.equals(AnotherMongoDocument._id)

to call equals with the AnotherMongoDocument._id property.

Conclusion

To compare Mongoose _id and strings, we can convert the _id to a string with the toString method.

Sometimes, we want to pass variables to the next middleware using next() in Express.js.

In this article, we’ll look at how to pass variables to the next middleware using next() in Express.js.

How to pass variables to the next middleware using next() in Express.js?

To pass variables to the next middleware using next() in Express.js, we can add the data to the res object.

For instance, we write

app.use((req, res, next) => {
  res.locals.user = req.user;
  res.locals.authenticated = !req.user.anonymous;
  next();
});

app.use((req, res, next) => {
  if (res.locals.authenticated) {
    console.log(res.locals.user.id);
  }
  next();
});

to set res.locals to some values in the first middleware.

And then we call next to call the next middleware function.

Then in the 2nd middleware, we check the values that we set as properties of res.

Conclusion

To pass variables to the next middleware using next() in Express.js, we can add the data to the res object.

Sometimes, we want to find home directory in platform agnostic way with Node.js.

In this article, we’ll look at how to find home directory in platform agnostic way with Node.js.

How to find home directory in platform agnostic way with Node.js?

To find home directory in platform agnostic way with Node.js, we can use the os.homedir method.

For instance, we write

const os = require('os');

console.log(os.homedir());

to call os.homedir to return the home directory path as a string.

Conclusion

To find home directory in platform agnostic way with Node.js, we can use the os.homedir method.

Sometimes, we want to generate unique ID with Node.js.

In this article, we’ll look at how to generate unique ID with Node.js.

How to generate unique ID with Node.js?

To generate unique ID with Node.js, we can use the uuid package.

For instance, we run

npm install uuid

Then we use it by writing

const {
  v1: uuidv1,
  v4: uuidv4,
} = require('uuid');

uuidv1();
uuidv4()

to call uuidv1 to return v1 UUID strings and call uuidv4 to return v4 UUID strings.

Conclusion

To generate unique ID with Node.js, we can use the uuid package.