Mongodb will not create document within if/else statement - mongodb

Question

New to MongoDB. I'm trying to add a new document to an existing collection only if a document with the same name does not already exist within that collection. I'm using an if/else statement first to check whether there is a document with the same name as the new entry, and if not, an else statement that will create the new entry. Whatever I try, the new document is not getting added, and instead it returns an empty array. I'd be grateful for any help.
I've tried switching the if/else statements; checking for null and undefined values upon return of if statement
app.post('/cocktails/new', isLoggedIn, (req, res) => {
// add to DB then show item
let name = req.body.name;
let style = req.body.style;
let spirit = req.body.spirit;
let image = req.body.image;
let description = req.body.description;
let newCocktail = {name: name, style: style, base: spirit, image:
image, description: description}
Cocktail.find({name}, function (err, existCocktail) {
if(existCocktail){
console.log(existCocktail)
}
else {Cocktail.create(newCocktail, (err, cocktail) => {
console.log(cocktail)
if (err) {console.log(err)}
else {
res.redirect('/cocktails/' + cocktail._id)}
})
}
})
})
In the event document is not found with the if function, else statements will execute, leading to new document being created with the newCocktail object.

Answer 1

You should use findOne instead of find.
find returns an empty array when no docs found.
The following expression returns true, so your existCocktail condition becomes true, causing your new data not added.
[] ? true : false
Also I refactor your code a bit, you can use destructuring your req.body.
app.post("/cocktails/new", isLoggedIn, (req, res) => {
// add to DB then show item
const { name, style, spirit, image, description } = red.body;
let newCocktail = {
name,
style,
base: spirit,
image,
description
};
Cocktail.findOne({ name }, function(err, existCocktail) {
if (existCocktail) {
console.log(existCocktail);
res.status(400).json({ error: "Name already exists" });
} else {
Cocktail.create(newCocktail, (err, cocktail) => {
console.log(cocktail);
if (err) {
console.log(err);
res.status(500).json({ error: "Something went bad" });
} else {
res.redirect("/cocktails/" + cocktail._id);
}
});
}
});
});