What is the default value for the new field in a findAndModify() operation?

In MongoDB, when using the findAndModify() operation, the default value for the new field is set to false. This means that, by default, the operation will return the document as it was before any modifications were applied. The purpose of this field is to specify whether to return the modified document instead of the original one after the update. If you want to retrieve the updated document, you would need to explicitly set the new field to true.

Understanding this behavior is critical because it affects how you handle the output of the findAndModify() operation in your applications. If you're expecting the modified version of the document but do not set the new flag to true, you'll receive the document in its original state, potentially leading to confusion or bugs in your code. Thus, knowing the default is essential for effective database management and application development with MongoDB.