$let

The $let operator allows defining variables for use in a specified expression, enabling complex calculations and reducing code repetition.

$let

The $let operator is used to define variables for use in a specified expression. It allows you to create temporary variables that can be referenced within the expression, making complex calculations more readable and preventing redundant computations.

Syntax

{
  $let: {
    vars: { 
      <var1>: <expression1>,
      <var2>: <expression2>,
      ...
    },
    in: <expression>
  }
}

Parameters

ParameterDescription
varsAn object that defines the variables and their values. Each variable is assigned the result of an expression.
inThe expression that uses the variables defined in the vars object. Variables are referenced using $$<variable_name>.

Examples

Consider this sample document from the stores collection.

{
    "_id": "0fcc0bf0-ed18-4ab8-b558-9848e18058f4",
    "name": "First Up Consultants | Beverage Shop - Satterfieldmouth",
    "location": {
        "lat": -89.2384,
        "lon": -46.4012
    },
    "staff": {
        "totalStaff": {
            "fullTime": 8,
            "partTime": 20
        }
    },
    "sales": {
        "totalSales": 75670,
        "salesByCategory": [
            {
                "categoryName": "Wine Accessories",
                "totalSales": 34440
            },
            {
                "categoryName": "Bitters",
                "totalSales": 39496
            },
            {
                "categoryName": "Rum",
                "totalSales": 1734
            }
        ]
    },
    "promotionEvents": [
        {
            "eventName": "Unbeatable Bargain Bash",
            "promotionalDates": {
                "startDate": {
                    "Year": 2024,
                    "Month": 6,
                    "Day": 23
                },
                "endDate": {
                    "Year": 2024,
                    "Month": 7,
                    "Day": 2
                }
            },
            "discounts": [
                {
                    "categoryName": "Whiskey",
                    "discountPercentage": 7
                },
                {
                    "categoryName": "Bitters",
                    "discountPercentage": 15
                },
                {
                    "categoryName": "Brandy",
                    "discountPercentage": 8
                },
                {
                    "categoryName": "Sports Drinks",
                    "discountPercentage": 22
                },
                {
                    "categoryName": "Vodka",
                    "discountPercentage": 19
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "eventName": "Steal of a Deal Days",
            "promotionalDates": {
                "startDate": {
                    "Year": 2024,
                    "Month": 9,
                    "Day": 21
                },
                "endDate": {
                    "Year": 2024,
                    "Month": 9,
                    "Day": 29
                }
            },
            "discounts": [
                {
                    "categoryName": "Organic Wine",
                    "discountPercentage": 19
                },
                {
                    "categoryName": "White Wine",
                    "discountPercentage": 20
                },
                {
                    "categoryName": "Sparkling Wine",
                    "discountPercentage": 19
                },
                {
                    "categoryName": "Whiskey",
                    "discountPercentage": 17
                },
                {
                    "categoryName": "Vodka",
                    "discountPercentage": 23
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}

Example 1: Basic variable usage

Calculate staff efficiency metrics using defined variables.

db.stores.aggregate([
  { $match: {"_id": "40d6f4d7-50cd-4929-9a07-0a7a133c2e74"} },
  {
    $project: {
      name: 1,
      staffMetrics: {
        $let: {
          vars: {
            fullTime: "$staff.totalStaff.fullTime",
            partTime: "$staff.totalStaff.partTime",
            totalSales: "$sales.totalSales"
          },
          in: {
            totalStaff: { $add: ["$$fullTime", "$$partTime"] },
            salesPerEmployee: { $divide: ["$$totalSales", { $add: ["$$fullTime", "$$partTime"] }] },
            fullTimeRatio: { $divide: ["$$fullTime", { $add: ["$$fullTime", "$$partTime"] }] }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
])

This query returns the following result.

[
  {
    "_id": '40d6f4d7-50cd-4929-9a07-0a7a133c2e74',
    "name": 'Proseware, Inc. | Home Entertainment Hub - East Linwoodbury',
    "staffMetrics": {
      "totalStaff": 39,
      "salesPerEmployee": 3893.948717948718,
      "fullTimeRatio": 0.5128205128205128
    }
  }
]

Example 2: Nested $let expressions

Calculate location-based insights with nested variable definitions.

db.stores.aggregate([
  { $match: {"_id": "40d6f4d7-50cd-4929-9a07-0a7a133c2e74"} },
  {
    $project: {
      name: 1,
      locationInsights: {
        $let: {
          vars: {
            lat: "$location.lat",
            lon: "$location.lon"
          },
          in: {
            coordinates: { lat: "$$lat", lon: "$$lon" },
            hemisphere: {
              $let: {
                vars: {
                  northSouth: { $cond: [{ $gte: ["$$lat", 0] }, "North", "South"] },
                  eastWest: { $cond: [{ $gte: ["$$lon", 0] }, "East", "West"] }
                },
                in: {
                  latitudeHemisphere: "$$northSouth",
                  longitudeHemisphere: "$$eastWest",
                  quadrant: { $concat: ["$$northSouth", " ", "$$eastWest"] }
                }
              }
            },
            distanceFromEquator: { $abs: "$$lat" },
            distanceFromPrimeMeridian: { $abs: "$$lon" }
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
])

This query returns the following result.

[
  {
    "_id": '40d6f4d7-50cd-4929-9a07-0a7a133c2e74',
    "name": 'Proseware, Inc. | Home Entertainment Hub - East Linwoodbury',
    "locationInsights": {
      "coordinates": { "lat": 70.1272, "lon": 69.7296 },
      "hemisphere": {
        "latitudeHemisphere": 'North',
        "longitudeHemisphere": 'East',
        "quadrant": 'North East'
      },
      "distanceFromEquator": 70.1272,
      "distanceFromPrimeMeridian": 69.7296
    }
  }
]

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