Question

MongoDB updating fields in nested array

How can I set "play" to "play photo" in the photos array?

I only know its _id.

"_id": ObjectId("4f41a5c7c32810e404000000"),
"albums": [
{
    "_id": ObjectId("4f545d1bc328103812000000"),
    "name": "album1" ,
    "photos":[{
        "_id": ObjectId("4f545d1bc328103812d00000"),
        "name":"travel photo"
    },{
        "_id": ObjectId("4f545d1bc328103812c00000"),
        "name":"play"
    }]
},
{
    "_id": ObjectId("4f545f56c328103c12000000"),
    "name": "album2" 
},
{
    "_id": ObjectId("4f545f68c328103012000000"),
    "name": "album3" 
},
{
    "_id": ObjectId("4f546642c328103c12000001"),
    "name": "album4" 
}]

Answer 1

You can’t. The positional operator is only available for the first array in your document hierarchy. As such you cannot manipulate individual elements of deeper nester arrays.

It’s a known issue and is scheduled for development here : https://jira.mongodb.org/browse/SERVER-831

Until that time you’ll have to normalize your schema a bit I’m afraid.