Table of Contents
Event Loop in Node.js
The event loop is a fundamental part of Node.js that allows for non-blocking, asynchronous programming. It is responsible for handling and executing events and callbacks in an efficient manner.
In Node.js, the event loop is a single-threaded event-driven system. This means that it can handle multiple requests concurrently without the need for additional threads. The event loop continuously checks for new events or callbacks in the event queue and executes them in a sequential manner.
Here's a simplified example of how the event loop works in Node.js:
console.log('Start');
setTimeout(() => {
console.log('Timer 1');
}, 0);
setImmediate(() => {
console.log('Immediate 1');
});
process.nextTick(() => {
console.log('Next Tick 1');
});
console.log('End');
Output:
Start End Next Tick 1 Timer 1 Immediate 1
In this example, the console.log('Start') statement is executed first. Then, the event loop processes the setTimeout, setImmediate, and process.nextTick functions. The order of execution may vary, but the console.log('End') statement is always executed last.
The setTimeout function schedules a callback to be executed after a certain delay. In this case, the delay is set to 0 milliseconds, but it is still executed after the other events because the event loop prioritizes I/O events over timers.
The setImmediate function schedules a callback to be executed in the next iteration of the event loop. It is typically used when you want to defer the execution of a callback until the current event loop iteration has completed.
The process.nextTick function schedules a callback to be executed immediately after the current operation completes. It is often used to defer the execution of a callback until the next iteration of the event loop.
Understanding how the event loop works is essential for writing efficient and scalable Node.js applications. It allows you to leverage non-blocking I/O operations and handle multiple requests concurrently without the need for additional threads.
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Async Hooks in Node.js
Async hooks are a set of APIs in Node.js that allow you to track the lifecycle of asynchronous resources, such as timers, HTTP requests, and database queries. They provide a way to add custom behavior or perform additional actions at specific points in the lifecycle of these resources.
Async hooks consist of four main hooks:
1. init: Called when an asynchronous resource is initialized.
2. before: Called just before an asynchronous resource is about to start.
3. after: Called just after an asynchronous resource has completed.
4. destroy: Called when an asynchronous resource is destroyed.
Here's an example that demonstrates the use of async hooks:
const async_hooks = require('async_hooks');
const asyncHook = async_hooks.createHook({
init(asyncId, type, triggerAsyncId, resource) {
console.log('Init', asyncId, type);
},
before(asyncId) {
console.log('Before', asyncId);
},
after(asyncId) {
console.log('After', asyncId);
},
destroy(asyncId) {
console.log('Destroy', asyncId);
}
});
asyncHook.enable();
setTimeout(() => {
console.log('Timer');
}, 1000);
Output:
Init 1 Timeout Before 1 After 1
In this example, we create an async hook using the async_hooks.createHook function. We define the four hook functions (init, before, after, destroy) that will be called at specific points in the lifecycle of asynchronous resources.
The init hook is called when an asynchronous resource is initialized. It provides information about the asyncId, type of resource, and the asyncId of the resource that triggered its creation.
The before hook is called just before an asynchronous resource is about to start. It provides the asyncId of the resource.
The after hook is called just after an asynchronous resource has completed. It also provides the asyncId of the resource.
The destroy hook is called when an asynchronous resource is destroyed. It provides the asyncId of the resource.
In the example, the setTimeout function creates a timer resource, which triggers the init, before, and after hooks.
Async hooks are useful tools that can be used for debugging, profiling, and monitoring purposes in Node.js applications. They allow you to gain insight into the lifecycle of asynchronous resources and add custom behavior when needed.
Buffer and Stream Optimizations in Node.js
Buffers and streams are essential features in Node.js for handling binary data and data streams efficiently. Node.js provides several optimizations and enhancements for working with buffers and streams.
Buffer Optimization
Buffers are used to handle binary data in Node.js. They are allocated outside of the JavaScript heap and provide a way to directly access raw memory. However, working with buffers can sometimes be inefficient due to memory copying and reallocation.
To optimize buffer operations in Node.js, you can use the Buffer.allocUnsafe method instead of Buffer.alloc. The Buffer.allocUnsafe method creates a new buffer without initializing its contents, which can be faster than the Buffer.alloc method.
Here's an example that demonstrates the use of Buffer.allocUnsafe:
const buffer = Buffer.allocUnsafe(10); console.log(buffer);
Output:
In this example, Buffer.allocUnsafe is used to create a new buffer of size 10. The buffer is not initialized, so its contents are not guaranteed to be zeroed out. This can lead to security vulnerabilities if used improperly. Therefore, it is important to manually fill the buffer with appropriate values if necessary.
Another optimization technique is to reuse buffers instead of creating new ones. By reusing buffers, you can reduce memory allocations and deallocations, which can improve performance in certain scenarios.
Stream Optimization
Streams in Node.js provide an abstraction for handling large amounts of data in a memory-efficient and asynchronous manner. However, stream operations can also be optimized to further improve performance.
One optimization technique is to use the pipe method to connect streams together. The pipe method automatically handles data flow between readable and writable streams, reducing the need for manual event handling.
Here's an example that demonstrates the use of the pipe method:
const fs = require('fs');
const readableStream = fs.createReadStream('input.txt');
const writableStream = fs.createWriteStream('output.txt');
readableStream.pipe(writableStream);
In this example, a readable stream is created using the createReadStream function, and a writable stream is created using the createWriteStream function. The pipe method is then used to connect the two streams together. This automatically handles the data flow from the readable stream to the writable stream.
Another optimization technique is to use the Transform stream class for data transformation operations. The Transform stream allows you to efficiently process data while it is being read or written, without the need for intermediate buffers.
Here's an example that demonstrates the use of the Transform stream:
const { Transform } = require('stream');
const uppercaseTransform = new Transform({
transform(chunk, encoding, callback) {
this.push(chunk.toString().toUpperCase());
callback();
}
});
process.stdin.pipe(uppercaseTransform).pipe(process.stdout);
In this example, a Transform stream is created using the Transform class. The transform method is overridden to convert the incoming data to uppercase and push it to the output.
Optimizing buffer and stream operations can significantly improve the performance of Node.js applications, especially when working with large amounts of data. By using appropriate techniques and leveraging built-in optimizations, you can achieve efficient handling of binary data and data streams in your Node.js applications.
Cluster Module in Node.js
The cluster module in Node.js allows you to create child processes (workers) that can share server ports. This enables you to take full advantage of multi-core systems and achieve better performance and scalability for your Node.js applications.
The cluster module provides a straightforward API for creating and managing worker processes. It automatically distributes incoming connections among the worker processes, allowing them to handle requests in parallel.
Here's an example that demonstrates the basic usage of the cluster module:
const cluster = require('cluster');
const http = require('http');
const numCPUs = require('os').cpus().length;
if (cluster.isMaster) {
console.log(`Master ${process.pid} is running`);
// Fork workers
for (let i = 0; i {
console.log(`Worker ${worker.process.pid} died`);
// Fork a new worker when a worker dies
cluster.fork();
});
} else {
// Workers can share any TCP connection
// In this case, it is an HTTP server
http.createServer((req, res) => {
res.writeHead(200);
res.end('Hello World\n');
}).listen(8000);
console.log(`Worker ${process.pid} started`);
}
In this example, the cluster module is used to create worker processes that handle incoming HTTP requests. The number of worker processes is determined by the number of CPUs available on the system.
The cluster.isMaster property is used to check if the current process is the master process. If it is, it forks the desired number of worker processes using the cluster.fork method. It also listens for the exit event and forks a new worker when a worker process dies.
If the current process is not the master process, it creates an HTTP server that listens on port 8000 and handles incoming requests.
The cluster module simplifies the process of creating multi-process Node.js applications and allows you to fully utilize the resources of your server. By distributing the workload among multiple processes, you can achieve better performance, improved scalability, and increased stability for your Node.js applications.
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Multi-process Management in Node.js
Multi-process management is an important aspect of developing Node.js applications that utilize multiple worker processes. It involves various techniques and strategies to effectively manage and coordinate the execution of multiple processes.
One common approach to multi-process management in Node.js is using a process manager like PM2. PM2 is a production process manager for Node.js applications that provides features such as process monitoring, automatic restarts, and load balancing.
To use PM2, you first need to install it globally using npm:
npm install -g pm2
Once installed, you can start your Node.js application using PM2:
pm2 start app.js
PM2 will automatically manage your application, monitor its health, and restart it if necessary. You can also scale your application by running multiple instances of it:
pm2 start app.js -i 4
This will start four instances of your application, each running in its own worker process.
In addition to process managers, Node.js provides built-in modules like the cluster module for multi-process management. The cluster module allows you to create child processes (workers) that can share server ports, enabling parallel processing of incoming requests.
Here's an example that demonstrates how to use the cluster module for multi-process management:
const cluster = require('cluster');
const http = require('http');
const numCPUs = require('os').cpus().length;
if (cluster.isMaster) {
console.log(`Master ${process.pid} is running`);
// Fork workers
for (let i = 0; i {
console.log(`Worker ${worker.process.pid} died`);
// Fork a new worker when a worker dies
cluster.fork();
});
} else {
// Workers can share any TCP connection
// In this case, it is an HTTP server
http.createServer((req, res) => {
res.writeHead(200);
res.end('Hello World\n');
}).listen(8000);
console.log(`Worker ${process.pid} started`);
}
In this example, the cluster module is used to create worker processes that handle incoming HTTP requests. The number of worker processes is determined by the number of CPUs available on the system.
The cluster.isMaster property is used to check if the current process is the master process. If it is, it forks the desired number of worker processes using the cluster.fork method. It also listens for the exit event and forks a new worker when a worker process dies.
If the current process is not the master process, it creates an HTTP server that listens on port 8000 and handles incoming requests.
Multi-process management is essential for achieving better performance, scalability, and stability in Node.js applications. Whether you choose to use a process manager like PM2 or leverage built-in modules like the cluster module, effective multi-process management can greatly enhance the capabilities of your Node.js applications.
Promises in Node.js
Promises are a useful feature in Node.js that allow you to handle asynchronous operations in a more organized and readable manner. They provide a way to represent the eventual completion or failure of an asynchronous operation and enable you to chain multiple asynchronous operations together.
A promise can be in one of three states: pending, fulfilled, or rejected. When a promise is pending, it means that the asynchronous operation is still in progress. When a promise is fulfilled, it means that the operation has completed successfully. When a promise is rejected, it means that the operation has encountered an error.
Here's an example that demonstrates the basic usage of promises in Node.js:
function fetchData() {
return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
setTimeout(() => {
const data = 'Hello, world!';
if (data) {
resolve(data);
} else {
reject(new Error('Data not found'));
}
}, 1000);
});
}
fetchData()
.then((data) => {
console.log(data);
})
.catch((error) => {
console.error(error);
});
In this example, the fetchData function returns a promise that resolves to the string 'Hello, world!' after a delay of 1 second. If the data is found, the promise is fulfilled with the data. Otherwise, the promise is rejected with an error.
The then method is used to handle the fulfillment of the promise. It takes a callback function that is executed when the promise is fulfilled. The callback function receives the fulfilled value as its argument.
The catch method is used to handle the rejection of the promise. It takes a callback function that is executed when the promise is rejected. The callback function receives the rejection reason as its argument.
Promises can also be chained together using the then method, allowing you to perform multiple asynchronous operations in sequence. Each then method returns a new promise, which allows for a more readable and organized code structure.
Here's an example that demonstrates chaining promises:
function fetchData() {
return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
setTimeout(() => {
const data = 'Hello, world!';
if (data) {
resolve(data);
} else {
reject(new Error('Data not found'));
}
}, 1000);
});
}
fetchData()
.then((data) => {
console.log(data);
return fetchData();
})
.then((data) => {
console.log(data);
})
.catch((error) => {
console.error(error);
});
In this example, the fetchData function is called twice, and the result of the first call is passed to the second call using the then method. This allows you to perform multiple asynchronous operations in sequence.
Promises provide a more organized and readable way to handle asynchronous operations in Node.js. By using promises, you can avoid callback hell and write cleaner and more maintainable code.
Callbacks in Node.js
Callbacks are a common pattern in Node.js for handling asynchronous operations. They allow you to pass a function as an argument to another function, which will be called when the asynchronous operation is completed or encounters an error.
Here's an example that demonstrates the basic usage of callbacks in Node.js:
function fetchData(callback) {
setTimeout(() => {
const data = 'Hello, world!';
if (data) {
callback(null, data);
} else {
callback(new Error('Data not found'));
}
}, 1000);
}
fetchData((error, data) => {
if (error) {
console.error(error);
} else {
console.log(data);
}
});
In this example, the fetchData function accepts a callback function as an argument. It simulates an asynchronous operation using setTimeout and returns the string 'Hello, world!' after a delay of 1 second. If the data is found, the callback is called with null as the first argument and the data as the second argument. Otherwise, the callback is called with an error as the first argument.
The callback function is then passed as an argument to the fetchData function. It handles the completion or failure of the asynchronous operation. If an error occurs, it is logged to the console. If the operation is successful, the data is logged to the console.
Callbacks can also be used to handle multiple asynchronous operations in sequence or in parallel. This is often referred to as "callback hell" when the code becomes deeply nested and hard to read.
Here's an example that demonstrates handling multiple asynchronous operations in sequence using callbacks:
function fetchData(callback) {
setTimeout(() => {
const data = 'Hello, world!';
if (data) {
callback(null, data);
} else {
callback(new Error('Data not found'));
}
}, 1000);
}
function processResult(error, data, callback) {
if (error) {
callback(error);
} else {
callback(null, data.toUpperCase());
}
}
fetchData((error, data) => {
if (error) {
console.error(error);
} else {
processResult(error, data, (error, processedData) => {
if (error) {
console.error(error);
} else {
console.log(processedData);
}
});
}
});
In this example, the fetchData function is called first to fetch the data asynchronously. The result is then passed to the processResult function, which processes the data and calls the callback function with the processed data.
Callbacks are a fundamental part of asynchronous programming in Node.js. While they are a useful tool, they can lead to callback hell and make the code harder to read and maintain. This is where promises and async/await come in, providing a more organized and readable way to handle asynchronous operations.
Middleware in Node.js
Middleware is a key concept in Node.js that allows you to add functionality to the request/response lifecycle of an application. It provides a way to handle common tasks, such as authentication, logging, and error handling, in a modular and reusable manner.
In Node.js, middleware functions are functions that have access to the request object (req), the response object (res), and the next function in the application's request/response lifecycle. They can modify the request and response objects, execute additional code, and pass control to the next middleware function in the stack.
Here's an example that demonstrates the basic usage of middleware in Node.js:
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
// Logger middleware
app.use((req, res, next) => {
console.log(`${req.method} ${req.url}`);
next();
});
// Hello world route
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Hello, world!');
});
app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Server started on port 3000');
});
In this example, the express module is used to create an Express application. The app.use method is used to register a logger middleware function. This function logs the HTTP method and URL of each incoming request.
The app.get method is used to define a route that responds with the string 'Hello, world!' when a GET request is made to the root URL (/).
The app.listen method is used to start the server and listen on port 3000.
Middleware functions can be registered using the app.use method or as route-specific middleware using the app.METHOD methods (e.g., app.get, app.post, etc.). They are executed in the order they are registered, and control is passed to the next middleware function in the stack using the next function.
Middleware functions can also perform error handling by using the next function with an error argument. This allows you to create error-handling middleware that is executed when an error occurs in a previous middleware or route handler.
Here's an example that demonstrates error handling middleware:
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
// Logger middleware
app.use((req, res, next) => {
console.log(`${req.method} ${req.url}`);
next(new Error('Something went wrong'));
});
// Error handling middleware
app.use((err, req, res, next) => {
console.error(err);
res.status(500).send('Internal Server Error');
});
app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Server started on port 3000');
});
In this example, the logger middleware always throws an error. The error handling middleware is then executed, logging the error to the console and sending a 500 Internal Server Error response.
Middleware is a useful feature in Node.js that allows you to add functionality to your application in a modular and reusable way. It enables you to handle common tasks, such as authentication, logging, and error handling, in a centralized manner. Express.js, a popular web framework for Node.js, heavily relies on middleware for handling requests and responses.
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Express.js in Node.js
Express.js is a popular web application framework for Node.js that provides a simple and flexible way to build web applications and APIs. It is built on top of the core HTTP module in Node.js and provides additional features and utilities for handling requests, responses, middleware, routing, and more.
Here's an example that demonstrates the basic usage of Express.js:
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
app.get('/', (req, res) => {
res.send('Hello, world!');
});
app.listen(3000, () => {
console.log('Server started on port 3000');
});
In this example, the express module is used to create an Express application. The app.get method is used to define a route that responds with the string 'Hello, world!' when a GET request is made to the root URL (/).
The app.listen method is used to start the server and listen on port 3000.
Express.js provides a wide range of features and utilities that make it easy to build web applications and APIs. These include:
- Middleware: Express.js allows you to register middleware functions that are executed in the order they are registered. Middleware functions can be used for handling common tasks such as logging, authentication, and error handling.
- Routing: Express.js provides a router object that allows you to define routes for different HTTP methods and URL patterns. Routes can be defined using the app.METHOD methods (e.g., app.get, app.post, etc.) or by using the router object directly.
- Request and response handling: Express.js provides a set of methods and properties on the request and response objects (req and res) that make it easy to handle incoming requests and send responses. These include methods for setting headers, sending JSON or HTML responses, redirecting requests, and more.
- Template engines: Express.js supports various template engines, such as EJS, Pug, and Handlebars, that allow you to dynamically render HTML pages using data from your application.
- Error handling: Express.js provides a way to handle errors using middleware functions. Error-handling middleware functions have an additional error argument and are executed when an error occurs in a previous middleware or route handler.
- Static file serving: Express.js provides a built-in middleware function for serving static files, such as CSS, JavaScript, and images, from a specified directory.
- Session and cookie management: Express.js provides middleware functions for handling sessions and cookies, allowing you to store and retrieve user data across multiple requests.
Express.js is a versatile and useful web application framework for Node.js. It provides a solid foundation for building web applications and APIs and is widely used in the Node.js ecosystem.
WebSocket in Node.js
WebSocket is a communication protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection. It allows for real-time, bidirectional communication between a client and a server, making it ideal for applications that require instant updates, such as chat applications and real-time collaboration tools.
In Node.js, you can use the ws library to implement WebSocket functionality. The ws library provides a WebSocket server and client implementation that is compatible with the WebSocket protocol.
Here's an example that demonstrates how to create a WebSocket server using the ws library in Node.js:
const WebSocket = require('ws');
const wss = new WebSocket.Server({ port: 8080 });
wss.on('connection', (ws) => {
ws.on('message', (message) => {
console.log(`Received message: ${message}`);
ws.send(`Server received: ${message}`);
});
ws.on('close', () => {
console.log('Client disconnected');
});
});
console.log('WebSocket server started on port 8080');
In this example, the ws library is used to create a WebSocket server that listens on port 8080. The wss.on('connection') event is used to handle incoming connections. When a client connects, the server logs a message and sets up event listeners for the message and close events.
The ws.on('message') event is fired when the server receives a message from the client. It logs the received message and sends a response back to the client using the ws.send method.
The ws.on('close') event is fired when the client disconnects from the server. It logs a message to indicate that the client has disconnected.
To connect to the WebSocket server, you can use a WebSocket client library, such as the ws library, in a browser or any other environment that supports WebSocket connections.
WebSocket is a useful protocol for real-time communication in Node.js applications. It provides a reliable and efficient way to send and receive data between a client and a server in real-time. By using the ws library, you can easily implement WebSocket functionality in your Node.js applications.
Package.json in Node.js
The package.json file is a metadata file that is typically located at the root of a Node.js project. It contains information about the project, its dependencies, and various configuration options.
Here's an example of a package.json file:
{
"name": "my-app",
"version": "1.0.0",
"description": "My Node.js application",
"main": "index.js",
"scripts": {
"start": "node index.js",
"test": "mocha"
},
"dependencies": {
"express": "^4.17.1",
"lodash": "^4.17.21"
},
"devDependencies": {
"mocha": "^9.1.3"
},
"keywords": [
"node",
"express",
"web"
],
"author": "John Doe",
"license": "MIT"
}
In this example, the package.json file contains various fields that provide information about the project:
- name: The name of the project.
- version: The version of the project.
- description: A brief description of the project.
- main: The entry point of the project (usually the main JavaScript file).
- scripts: A set of scripts that can be executed using npm run .
- dependencies: The project's production dependencies.
- devDependencies: The project's development dependencies.
- keywords: Keywords that describe the project.
- author: The author of the project.
- license: The license under which the project is distributed.
The scripts field allows you to define custom scripts that can be executed using npm run . For example, in the above package.json file, you can run the start script by executing npm run start. This is useful for defining commonly used commands, such as starting the application, running tests, or building the project.
The dependencies and devDependencies fields list the project's dependencies. Dependencies listed under dependencies are required for running the application, while dependencies listed under devDependencies are only required for development and testing purposes.
The keywords field allows you to specify keywords that describe the project. This can be useful for categorizing and searching for packages on package managers like npm.
The author field specifies the author of the project.
The license field specifies the license under which the project is distributed. Common licenses include MIT, Apache-2.0, and GPL-3.0.
The package.json file serves as a central configuration file for a Node.js project. It provides important metadata about the project and its dependencies, as well as scripts for running common tasks. It is automatically generated when you initialize a new Node.js project using npm init and is frequently updated when adding or removing dependencies or scripts.
NPM in Node.js
NPM (Node Package Manager) is the default package manager for Node.js. It is a command-line tool that allows you to install, manage, and publish packages for use in Node.js applications.
NPM provides a vast ecosystem of packages that you can use to enhance your Node.js projects. Packages can be installed from the NPM registry or from other sources, such as Git repositories or local filesystem paths.
Here's an example of how to use NPM to install a package in a Node.js project:
1. Open a terminal or command prompt.
2. Navigate to the root directory of your Node.js project.
3. Run the following command to install a package:
npm install
For example, to install the express package, you would run:
npm install express
NPM will download the package and its dependencies from the NPM registry and install them in the node_modules directory of your project.
NPM also provides a package.json file, which is a metadata file that contains information about your project and its dependencies. It is automatically generated when you initialize a new Node.js project using npm init. The package.json file tracks the packages you have installed, their versions, and other metadata.
Here's an example of a package.json file:
{
"name": "my-app",
"version": "1.0.0",
"dependencies": {
"express": "^4.17.1"
}
}
In this example, the express package is listed as a dependency in the dependencies field.
To install all the dependencies listed in the package.json file, you can run:
npm install
NPM will read the package.json file and install the packages listed in the dependencies field.
NPM provides many other features and commands, such as updating packages, publishing packages, and running scripts defined in the package.json file. It is a useful tool for managing dependencies and enhancing the functionality of your Node.js projects.
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Asynchronous Programming in Node.js
Asynchronous programming is a fundamental concept in Node.js that allows you to write non-blocking, event-driven code. It enables you to handle multiple operations concurrently without blocking the execution of other code.
In Node.js, asynchronous programming is achieved through the use of callbacks, promises, and async/await.
Callbacks
Callbacks are a common pattern in Node.js for handling asynchronous operations. They allow you to pass a function as an argument to another function, which will be called when the asynchronous operation is completed or encounters an error.
Here's an example of using callbacks in Node.js:
function fetchData(callback) {
setTimeout(() => {
const data = 'Hello, world!';
callback(null, data);
}, 1000);
}
fetchData((error, data) => {
if (error) {
console.error(error);
} else {
console.log(data);
}
});
In this example, the fetchData function simulates an asynchronous operation using setTimeout. It calls the callback function with the fetched data after a delay of 1 second. The callback function handles the completion or failure of the operation.
Callbacks can be nested to handle multiple asynchronous operations in sequence or in parallel. However, this can lead to callback hell and make the code harder to read and maintain.
Promises
Promises provide a more organized and readable way to handle asynchronous operations in Node.js. They represent the eventual completion or failure of an asynchronous operation and allow you to chain multiple operations together.
Here's an example of using promises in Node.js:
function fetchData() {
return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
setTimeout(() => {
const data = 'Hello, world!';
resolve(data);
}, 1000);
});
}
fetchData()
.then((data) => {
console.log(data);
})
.catch((error) => {
console.error(error);
});
In this example, the fetchData function returns a promise that resolves to the fetched data after a delay of 1 second. The then method is used to handle the fulfillment of the promise, and the catch method is used to handle any errors that occur.
Promises can be chained together using the then method, allowing you to perform multiple asynchronous operations in sequence. Each then method returns a new promise, which enables a more readable and organized code structure.
Async/Await
Async/await is a syntactic sugar built on top of promises in Node.js that allows you to write asynchronous code that looks and behaves like synchronous code. It provides a more intuitive and readable way to handle asynchronous operations.
Here's an example of using async/await in Node.js:
function fetchData() {
return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
setTimeout(() => {
const data = 'Hello, world!';
resolve(data);
}, 1000);
});
}
async function main() {
try {
const data = await fetchData();
console.log(data);
} catch (error) {
console.error(error);
}
}
main();
In this example, the fetchData function returns a promise that resolves to the fetched data after a delay of 1 second. The main function is declared as an async function, which enables the use of the await keyword inside it. The await keyword is used to wait for the resolution of a promise and retrieve its value.
Async/await provides a more sequential and synchronous-like way of writing asynchronous code, making it easier to understand and reason about. However, it is important to note that async/await is still based on promises and does not change the underlying asynchronous nature of Node.js.
Asynchronous programming is an essential concept in Node.js that allows you to handle multiple operations concurrently and efficiently. By using callbacks, promises, or async/await, you can write non-blocking, event-driven code that is more readable and maintainable.