Node.js Utility Module

The Node.js Utility Module offers a collection of utility functions that streamline common tasks in JavaScript programming. As part of Node.js's built-in libraries, this module is readily available without the need for additional package installations.

Key Concepts

• Utility Functions: These helper functions simplify tasks related to objects, arrays, and strings.
• Built-in Module: The utility module is included with Node.js, allowing immediate access.

Commonly Used Utility Functions

1. util.promisify()
   • Converts callback-based functions to promise-based functions.
   • Example:
2. util.callbackify()
   • Converts promise-based functions back to callback-based.
   • Example:
3. util.inspect()
   • Provides a string representation of an object, which is useful for debugging.
   • Example:
4. util.format()
   • Formats strings using placeholders similar to printf in C.
   • Example:

const util = require('util');
const formattedString = util.format('Hello %s, you are %d years old.', 'Bob', 25);
console.log(formattedString); // Outputs: Hello Bob, you are 25 years old.

const util = require('util');
const obj = { name: 'Alice', age: 30 };
console.log(util.inspect(obj)); // Outputs: { name: 'Alice', age: 30 }

const util = require('util');
const asyncFunction = async () => 'Hello, World!';
const callbackFunction = util.callbackify(asyncFunction);

callbackFunction((err, result) => {
  if (err) throw err;
  console.log(result); // Outputs: Hello, World!
});

const fs = require('fs');
const util = require('util');

const readFile = util.promisify(fs.readFile);
readFile('file.txt', 'utf8')
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Conclusion

The Node.js Utility Module is an essential resource that simplifies many common tasks in JavaScript development. By utilizing its functions, developers can produce cleaner and more efficient code. A solid understanding of these utilities is crucial for effective Node.js programming, especially for newcomers to the environment.