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JavaScript User Authentication With Express and Mongo User Registration Adding Data to the Database

Posted by Phillip Chan
Phillip Chan
3,914 Points

When I try to create a new user, it gives the error "User.create is not a function”.

I get this error when I try to create a new user at this step. I’m not sure if Mongoose is different than yours but this is my code. It seems the same as the instructors.

var express = require('express'); var router = express.Router(); var User = require('../models/user');

// GET /
router.get('/', function(req, res, next) {
  return res.render('index', { title: 'Home' });
});

// GET /about
router.get('/about', function(req, res, next) {
  return res.render('about', { title: 'About' });
});

// GET /contact
router.get('/contact', function(req, res, next) {
  return res.render('contact', { title: 'Contact' });
});

router.get('/register', function(req, res, next) {
    return res.render('register', {title: 'Sign Up'});
});

router.post('/register', function(req, res, next) {
    // make sure
    if (req.body.name &&
        req.body.email &&
        req.body.favoriteBook &&
        req.body.password &&
        req.body.confirmPassword) {

        if (req.body.password !== req.body.confirmPassword) {
            var err = new Error("passwords do not match");
            err.status = 400;
            return next(err);
        }
        else {
            // it works!

            // create the object we're going to send the mongoose
            var userData = {
                email: req.body.email,
                name: req.body.name,
                favoriteBook: req.body.favoriteBook,
                password: req.body.password
            };

            // insert into mongo with Schema's create method from mongoose
            User.create(userData, function(error, user) {
                if (error) {
                    return next(error);
                } else {

                    // follow up action
                    return res.redirect('/profile');
                }
            });
        }
    } else {
        var err = new Error('All fields required');
        err.status = 400;
        return next(err);
    }
});

module.exports = router;
Marie Nipper
Marie Nipper
22,638 Points
Marie Nipper
Marie Nipper
22,638 Points

From your models folder, can you post your user.js file?

4 Answers

Phillip Chan
Phillip Chan
3,914 Points

Nvm, there was a syntax error

should’ve been module.exports = User;

Thanks for your help everyone!

Marie Nipper
Marie Nipper
22,638 Points
Marie Nipper
Marie Nipper
22,638 Points

Ha. Nevermind. You got it. :)

Donnie Reese
Donnie Reese
17,211 Points
Donnie Reese
Donnie Reese
17,211 Points

Huzzah!

In your module, when you do the export.

You have set the variable module.export to User.

var User = mongoose.model("User", UserSchema);

module.export = User;

where you need to add your User to module.export.

var User = mongoose.model("User", UserSchema);
module.export.User = User;

This tells it that you want to export the User variable. That could be named whatever you wish.

Donnie Reese
Donnie Reese
17,211 Points
Donnie Reese
Donnie Reese
17,211 Points

The problem may be in the User scheme from the model. It says that that function doesn't exist, not the actual exported User.

It may be that it wasn't exported from the model correctly, but I am really just guessing in the dark.

Phillip Chan
Phillip Chan
3,914 Points
Phillip Chan
Phillip Chan
3,914 Points

Sorry, here is the user.js!

var mongoose = require('mongoose');
var UserSchema = new mongoose.Schema({
    email: {
        type: String,
        unique: true, // no two users can create two same emails
        required: true,
        trim: true // removes whitespace accidentally
    },
    name: {
        type: String,
        unique: false,
        required: true,
        trim: true
    },
    favoriteBook: {
        type: String,
        unique: false,
        required: true,
        trim: true
    },
    password: {
        type: String,
        required: true,
        trim: false
    }
});

var User = mongoose.model("User", UserSchema);

module.export = User;
Marie Nipper
Marie Nipper
22,638 Points
Marie Nipper
Marie Nipper
22,638 Points

You module.export line should read module.exports You have to make export plural.