✅JSON Patch Test Operation

Verify values before applying changes

RFC 6902

test operation

What is the Test Operation?

The test operation checks if the value at the specified path matches the expected value. If the test fails, the entire patch sequence is aborted. This enables conditional patching and optimistic concurrency control.

Syntax

{ "op": "test", "path": "/path/to/check", "value": <expected value> }

Examples

Test Before Update

Verify a value before replacing it

Patch:

[ { "op": "test", "path": "/version", "value": 1 }, { "op": "replace", "path": "/version", "value": 2 } ]

Before:

{ "version": 1, "data": "..." }

After:

{ "version": 2, "data": "..." }

Test Object Match

Verify an entire object matches

Patch:

{ "op": "test", "path": "/user", "value": { "id": 1 } }

Before:

{ "user": { "id": 1 } }

After:

Patch succeeds if match, fails otherwise

Conditional Delete

Only remove if value matches

Patch:

[ { "op": "test", "path": "/status", "value": "pending" }, { "op": "remove", "path": "/status" } ]

Before:

{ "status": "pending" }

After:

{ }

Common Use Cases

Optimistic concurrency control
Conditional updates based on current state
Preventing race conditions
Validating assumptions before changes

Best Practices

Place test operations before related modifications
Use for version checking and conflict detection
Deep equality comparison for objects and arrays
Essential for safe concurrent updates

Try the Test Operation Now

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Other JSON Patch Operations

➕

add

➖

remove

🔄

replace

📦

move

📋

copy

Explore More

🚀JSON Patch Generator

Free online tool to generate JSON Patch diffs

📚Documentation

Complete RFC 6902 guide and best practices

💡Examples

Real-world JSON Patch scenarios and use cases