MongoDB not adding default date for nested Schemas? - node.js

Question

I am attempting to add a form result to an existing client in a collection and all form data variables being passed are added successfully, however, a default date variable is not being created and saved despite being in the schema.
Here is the schema:
const mongoose = require('mongoose');
const Schema = mongoose.Schema;
// Create Schema
const FormSchema = new Schema({
formID: {
type: String
},
formName: {
type: String
},
date_completed: {
type: Date,
default: Date.now
},
formData: {
type: JSON
}
});
const ClientSchema = new Schema({
clientID: {
type: String,
required: true,
unique: true
},
dob: {
type: Date,
required: true
},
formResults: {
tags: [
{
type: FormSchema
}
]
}
});
module.exports = Client = mongoose.model('client', ClientSchema);
And here is the method posting the form results:
router.post('/:id', auth, (req, res) => {
Client.update(
{ clientID: req.params.id },
{
$push: {
formResults: {
$each: [
{
formID: req.body.formID,
formName: req.body.formName,
formData: req.body.formData
}
]
}
}
}
)
.then(() => res.json({ success: true }))
.catch(
err => res.status(404).json({ success: false }) && console.log(err)
);
});
I have tried forcing the date by passing date_completed: Date.now with the other form variables but this makes no difference. The results are still saved with no date variable listed. I have also tried dropping the collection and recreating it, this gave no changes. And I have checked the indexes for the collection, for which there is only _id and clientID.
Here is the data in saved in the database when executed and showing there is no date_completed: value.
Stored Data

Answer 1

At first glance your code is correct and should have no problem as it complies with the documentation and tutorials of mongoose, you can test this code:
// Create Schema
const FormSchema = new Schema({
formID: {
type: String
},
formName: {
type: String
},
date_completed: {
type: Date,
default: function() {
if (!this.date_completed) {
return Date.now();
}
return null;
}
},
formData: {
type: JSON
}
});
or:
var minuteFromNow = function(){
var timeObject = new Date();
return timeObject;
};
// Create Schema
const FormSchema = new Schema({
formID: {
type: String
},
formName: {
type: String
},
date_completed: {
type: Date,
default: minuteFromNow
},
formData: {
type: JSON
}
});
Let us also say this null is a valid value for a Date property, unless you specify required. Defaults only get set if the value is undefined, not if its falsy.

Answer 2

Honestly, I wasn't able to find any reason why it was not working. I waited a few days and the issue fixed itself. I don't believe there was anything wrong with the code, I think the issue was to do with MongoDB Atlas not updating results and displaying the dates that were being created but again I have no idea why this would be the case.