Saving data to array in mongoose - node.js

Question

Users are able to post items which other users can request. So, a user creates one item and many users can request it. So, I thought the best way would be to put an array of users into the product schema for who has requested it. And for now I just want to store that users ID and first name. Here is the schema:
const Schema = mongoose.Schema;
const productSchema = new Schema({
title: {
type: String,
required: true
},
category: {
type: String,
required: true
},
description: {
type: String,
required: true
},
userId: {
type: Schema.Types.ObjectId,
ref: 'User',
required: true
},
requests: [
{
userId: {type: Object},
firstName: {type: String}
}
],
});
module.exports = mongoose.model('Product', productSchema);
In my controller I am first finding the item and then calling save().
exports.postRequest = (req, res, next) => {
const productId = req.body.productId;
const userId = req.body.userId;
const firstName = req.body.firstName;
const data = {userId: userId, firstName: firstName};
Product.findById(productId).then(product => {
product.requests.push(data);
return product
.save()
.then(() => {
res.status(200).json({ message: "success" });
})
.catch(err => {
res.status(500).json({message: 'Something went wrong'});
});
});
};
Firstly, is it okay to do it like this? I found a few posts about this but they don't find and call save, they use findByIdAndUpdate() and $push. Is it 'wrong' to do it how I have done it? This is the second way I tried it and I get the same result in the database:
exports.postRequest = (req, res, next) => {
const productId = req.body.productId;
const userId = req.body.userId;
const firstName = req.body.firstName;
const data = {userId: userId, firstName: firstName};
Product.findByIdAndUpdate(productId, {
$push: {requests: data}
})
.then(() => {
console.log('succes');
})
.catch(err => {
console.log(err);
})
};
And secondly, if you look at the screen shot is the data in the correct format and structure? I don't know why there is _id in there as well instead of just the user ID and first name.

Answer 1

Normally, Developers will save only the reference of other collection(users) in the collection(product). In addition, you had saved username also. Thats fine.
Both of your methods work. But, second method has been added in MongoDB exactly for your specific need. So, no harm in using second method.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong doing it the way you have done it. using save after querying gives you the chance to validate some things in the data as well for one.
and you can add additional fields as well (if included in the Schema). for an example if your current json return doesn't have a field called last_name then you can add that and save the doc as well so that's a benefit..
When using findById() you don't actually have the power to make a change other than what you program it to do
One thing I noticed.. In your Schema, after you compile it using mongoose.modal()
export the compiled model so that you can use it everywhere it's required using import. like this..
const Product = module.exports = mongoose.model('Product', productSchema);