Middleware Node.JS is a function that plays a vital role in the request-response lifecycle of Node.JS execution. Using middleware functions, you can run any code and easily change response and request objects. Not only that, you can end the request-response lifecycle if you want and run the following middleware function using the next function. This blog delves deep into middleware, its importance, middleware in Node.JS, its types, and many others.
Middleware is the layer that exists between the application components, tools, and devices. With middleware, you can simplify connectivity between the components. Node.JS middleware plays a prime role in the request-response lifecycle of Node.JS execution.
There are many types of node.JS middleware, such as application-level, router-level, built-in, error-handling, and third-party middleware.
This blog will go over the middleware in Node.JS, its importance, types, creating middleware, and many more.
Middleware in Node.JS - Table of Contents |
Middleware is nothing but a function that has access to response objects, request objects, and the next middleware function. It exists in between the request and response cycles of Node.JS execution. Generally, the request object is referred to by the variable ‘req', whereas the response object is referred to by the variable ‘res’. Note that middleware can process ‘req’ objects before the server sends a response.
With middleware Node.JS, we can do a multitude of things. To begin with, we can run any codes with middleware functions. Also, we can make changes in response and request objects. We can end the request and response cycle in Node.JS execution. Further, we can call the next middleware function in the queue for Node.JS execution.
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Middleware is nothing but software that exists between operating systems and applications. Middleware connects data, users, and applications. That’s why we use middleware to manage data and communication.
Middleware acts as the bridge between applications, tools, and devices, including databases. In other words, middleware simplifies connectivity between applications, back-end data sources, and application components. Thus, it accelerates the development of distributed applications.
Middleware eases connectivity, supports secured connections and data transfer, and manages traffic across distributed systems. With middleware, you don’t need to make custom integrations every time.
Know that there are many types of middleware, such as message-oriented middleware, RPC middleware, database middleware, ORB middleware, and so on.
Do you want to know why middleware plays a prime role in data management and communication? Here are the reasons:
Node.JS is an open-source as well as JavaScript runtime environment. As it supports cross-platform, you can run Node.JS anywhere, whether it is Windows, Linux, or macOS. Node.JS is a platform that runs on the JavaScript engine.
By using Node.JS, you can build dynamic page content. Also, you can open, close, read, write, modify, create and delete files on the server.
Know that all APIs of Node.JS are asynchronous. In other words, they are non-blocking APIs. Node.JS is an asynchronous event-driven runtime environment with which you can develop scalable network applications.
Node.JS uses a single-threaded model, but at the same time, they are highly scalable. What’s more! They don't buffer any data, but they release data in chunks.
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The next ( ) function plays a vital role in applications' request and response cycle. It is a middleware function that runs the next middleware function once it is invoked. In other words, the Next function is invoked if the current middleware function doesn’t end the request and response cycle. It is essential to note that no middleware function should be hanging in the queue.
The image below is the middleware function where you can find its different components.
Let’s look at the description of the components one by one in detail.
get: It refers to the HTTP method
function: It is the middleware function
req: It refers to the HTTP request argument
res: It refers to the HTTP response argument
next: It refers to the callback argument
It is nothing but a routing as well as a middleware framework with which you can handle different routing of web pages. It works in-between request and response cycles. It can handle any error since it comes with default error-handling middleware functions. They are the functions compiled while making requests to the express server.
Every HTTPS request, as well as the response, can be easily accessed by the middleware. Even the middleware can terminate HTTPS requests independently. Or, it can transfer the request to another middleware function using the next function.
With the help of express middleware, you can build mobile as well as web applications. So, you can build single-page, hybrid, and multipage web applications seamlessly.
The syntax for the express.js middleware function is given as follows:
There are five types of middleware as follows
Know that every GET and POST call needs authentication. So, if you need to authenticate GET and POST calls, you can develop authentication middleware. This is because application-level middleware focuses on authenticating users. Once the authentication request is received, the authentication middleware invokes authentication code logic.
If the authentication is successful, the rest of the route is progressed with the help of the next function. On the other hand, if the authentication is unsuccessful, there is no progress in the route, and the middleware releases error messages.
This middleware works in the same way application-level middleware works. By using the express. router ( ) function, this middleware supports creating and managing instances. Moreover, you can load router-level middleware with the help of the router.use ( ) function as well as router.METHOD ( ) function.
There are three built-in middleware functions. Know what they are from below:
Express.JS has default error-handling middleware functions. That's why it can handle any error.
The functions have four arguments instead of three. You can understand this from the below code.
This middleware resolves the need for additional features required for back-end operations. First, you must install Node.JS modules for specific functions and implement the same in applications on the route or application level.
First of all, we must install Node.JS software before creating middleware. Additionally, we must install Express.JS to create Node.JS middleware successfully.
You can follow the below steps for creating Node.JS middleware.
Generally, middleware has the following signature function
As you know, ‘Req’ is the request object, whereas ‘Res’ is the response object. And the next function is used to run the next middleware function in the request-response lifecycle. With middleware, you can modify Req and Res objects and many mor
This step is needed to authenticate the current user who has logged in. Then, you must write middleware for this case. After writing the middleware to authenticate the user, we can add the middleware to the application. As a result, the middleware is seamlessly activated in all the application routes
You can set a custom header in response objects using the Res object.
In the end, you need to check whether the user object is added to the request object. If you cannot get the desired result or authenticate the user, it is better to end the request-response cycle.
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There are many advantages to using Node.JS middleware for data management and communication.
Let’s take a look at them below
In short, Node.JS middleware simplifies data management through the request-response lifecycle. We can run any codes with this middleware and seamlessly manage the request and response objects. Also, we can terminate the request-response lifecycle and invoke the next function for executing the next middleware function. Overall, Node.JS middleware improves the connectivity between application components, devices, and databases.
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Madhuri is a Senior Content Creator at MindMajix. She has written about a range of different topics on various technologies, which include, Splunk, Tensorflow, Selenium, and CEH. She spends most of her time researching on technology, and startups. Connect with her via LinkedIn and Twitter .