mongoimport : 'error validating settings: only one positional argument is allowed'

Question

Ok so I am trying.... to Importing a dummy JSON file into MongoDB and getting this error, a Google search yields no definitive explanation, and though this topic is already on here, that's more a syntax related error.

I think my syntax is ok, however if it is not please point it out and let me know. Also I think the other issue is my path [format correct] ? or is it something entirely different I am missing.

I don't understand the error and thus can't find a suitable "plain English" explanation anywhere to figure it out myself, so if you have a link please drop it in for me, it will be appreciated....

The error:

$ mongoimport --jsonArray --collection bank_data /Macintosh HD/Users/Tinus/Downloads/bank_data.json/bank_data.json
2016-09-20T13:23:56.592+1200    error validating settings: only one positional argument is allowed

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-: Running OSX -: Mongod started -: Using /data/db path and connected to test "All good" -: running mongoimport from separate shell

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$ mongo --version MongoDB shell version: 3.2.8

$ mongoimport --jsonArray --collection some_data --file /path/path/data.json
$ mongoimport --jsonArray --collection some_data /path/path/data.json

A) Also when adding --file i get: incompatible options: --file and positional argument(s)

Answer 1

Try it like that by quoting your path

$ mongoimport --jsonArray --collection bank_data '/Macintosh HD/Users/Tinus/Downloads/bank_data.json/bank_data.json'  

The error

error validating settings: only one positional argument is allowed

comes from the fact that your path contains a space which results in splitting it into two separate arguments (if not guarded by surrounding quotes)

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BTW: Are your sure your path ends with '...bank_data.json/bank_data.json' and not just one 'bank_data.json'?

Answer 2

~Fix~

A) I changed the path to reed direct from a new folder on root B) For any other’s having the same issue on mac osx —leave out the base root in your path , in my example above it was [ Macintosh HD] the import works without specifying it. thus it was changed to ..

        $ mongoimport --jsonArray --collection bank_data '/Users/Tinus/Downloads/bank_data.json/bank_data.json'

C) Yes the quotes are essential and was also added… D) Remember not to run it inside the mongo shell.

thumbs Up again to DAXaholic