Understanding HTTP in Node.js

1. Introduction

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is the foundation of data communication on the web. Node.js provides a simple way to create HTTP servers and handle requests and responses.

2. HTTP Methods

HTTP defines several request methods, each with a specific purpose:

• GET: Requests data from the server.
• POST: Sends data to the server for processing.
• PUT: Updates existing data on the server.
• DELETE: Removes data from the server.

3. Creating a Simple HTTP Server

To create an HTTP server in Node.js:

const http = require('http');

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
    res.statusCode = 200; // HTTP status code for OK
    res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain');
    res.end('Hello, World!\n');
});

server.listen(3000, () => {
    console.log('Server running at http://localhost:3000/');
});

4. HTTP Status Codes

HTTP status codes indicate the result of the server's attempt to process a request. Here are a few common codes:

• 200: OK
• 404: Not Found
• 500: Internal Server Error

5. Best Practices

When working with HTTP in Node.js, consider the following best practices:

1. Always handle errors properly to prevent server crashes.
2. Use HTTPS in production to encrypt data.
3. Implement logging for monitoring requests and responses.
4. Validate incoming data to prevent security vulnerabilities.

6. FAQ