Sending HTTP response in node.js

Question

I am trying to send an http response in node to print results in the browser. The simplified source code is down below. Basically, all the variables are defined somewhere in the program, so that shouldn't be problem. When I try to run the script, I keep getting the error:

    http.js:783
        throw new TypeError('first argument must be a string or Buffer');

    TypeError: first argument must be a string or Buffer

So can someone familiar with node.js or javascript syntax let me know what the problem is?

    upload = function(req, res) {
        var fileInfos = [obj, obj];    //defined as an array of objects
        var counter = 0;           
        counter -= 1;
        if (!counter) {                
            res.end({files: fileInfos});    //files is defined. 
        }
        };

    async.forEach(urls, downloadFile, function (err) {    //all params defined. 
        if(err){
            console.error("err");
            throw err;
        }
        else{
            http.createServer(function(req, res){
            upload(req1, res);                       //req1 defined as an array of objects.
        }).listen(3000, "127.0.0.1");
        console.log('Server running at http://127.0.0.1:3000/');
    }
    });

Community · Accepted Answer · 2020-06-20 09:12:55Z

1

This error is often caused by an attempt to call response.write with the wrong type of parameter. Looking at the documentation it suggests:

response.end([data], [encoding])#

This method signals to the server that all of the response headers and body have been sent; that server should consider this message complete. The method, response.end(), MUST be called on each response.

If data is specified, it is equivalent to calling response.write(data, encoding) followed by response.end().

Now response.write( chunk, encoding ) expects the chunk to be a string, so it seems possible that when you are calling res.end({files: fileInfos}) it is unable to write the content of that object as a string.

edited Jun 20, 2020 at 9:12

CommunityBot

11 silver badge

answered Aug 5, 2013 at 16:49

glenatron

11.4k14 gold badges68 silver badges122 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

leesei · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-24 17:22:50Z

1

You can use JSON.stringify() to convert the JavaScript object to string before sending it to the client.

res.end(JSON.stringify({files: fileInfos}));

answered Sep 24, 2013 at 17:22

leesei

6,0802 gold badges31 silver badges51 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Sending HTTP response in node.js

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related