Stream API Functions

Read Stream

• Purpose: Read data from a source as a continuous flow.
• Usage: Process large files or data in chunks.
• Example Use Case: Stream a video file to a client without loading the entire file into memory.

Write Stream

• Purpose: Write data to a destination as a continuous flow.
• Usage: Save large data outputs efficiently.
• Example Use Case: Write a large log file incrementally as events occur.

Pipe

• Purpose: Connect a readable stream to a writable stream.
• Usage: Transfer data from one stream to another.
• Example Use Case: Pipe data from a file read stream directly to an HTTP response for efficient file serving.

Node.js, known for its asynchronous and event-driven architecture, is a popular choice for building scalable server-side applications. One of its primary uses is to create and manage APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). APIs allow different software systems to communicate and share data with each other. In Node.js, API functions can be categorized based on their nature, usage, and the type of data they handle. This article explores various types of API functions in Node.js, providing insights into their functionalities and use cases.