What is then-request?
The then-request npm package is a simplified HTTP client for Node.js that uses promises. It allows you to make HTTP requests and handle responses in a straightforward manner using promises, making it easier to work with asynchronous code.
What are then-request's main functionalities?
Basic GET Request
This feature allows you to make a basic GET request to a specified URL. The response is handled using a promise, and the response body is logged to the console.
const request = require('then-request');
request('GET', 'https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1')
.done(function (res) {
console.log(res.getBody());
});
POST Request with JSON Body
This feature allows you to make a POST request with a JSON body. The request sends data to the specified URL, and the response is handled using a promise.
const request = require('then-request');
request('POST', 'https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts', {
json: {
title: 'foo',
body: 'bar',
userId: 1
}
}).done(function (res) {
console.log(res.getBody());
});
Handling Response Headers
This feature allows you to access and log the response headers from an HTTP request. The headers are available in the response object.
const request = require('then-request');
request('GET', 'https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/posts/1')
.done(function (res) {
console.log(res.headers);
});
Handling Errors
This feature demonstrates how to handle errors in HTTP requests. If the request fails, the error is caught and logged to the console.
const request = require('then-request');
request('GET', 'https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/invalid-url')
.done(function (res) {
console.log(res.getBody());
}, function (err) {
console.error('Request failed:', err);
});
Other packages similar to then-request
axios
Axios is a popular promise-based HTTP client for Node.js and the browser. It provides a more feature-rich API compared to then-request, including support for interceptors, request cancellation, and automatic JSON transformation.
node-fetch
Node-fetch is a lightweight module that brings the Fetch API to Node.js. It is similar to then-request in that it uses promises, but it follows the Fetch API standard, making it a good choice for those familiar with the browser's Fetch API.
request-promise
Request-promise is a simplified HTTP client that extends the request library with promise support. It offers a more extensive set of features compared to then-request, including support for various authentication methods and multipart form data.