Node HTTP Module: Client

Node has a built-in HTTP module for making and responding to requests. In this training, we'll use the HTTP module to issue requests to a server.

Prerequisites

• ga-wdi-boston/node-api-promises

Objectives

By the end of this, developers should be able to:

• Make request from a Node client, similar to curl.

Preparation

1. Fork and clone this repository.
2. Install dependencies with npm install.

Lab: Read Node Client Documentation

Read the following documentation from the Node HTTP module. While reading, take note of any new concepts or vocabulary that is confusing. Pay attention to function signatures. When you're finished taking notes, research one or two points you'd like made clearer. We will discuss our findings.

• Class: http.ClientRequest
• http.request(options[, callback])

Demo: Make a Request

Start an echo server with node lib/http-server.js.

Make a request by running node lib/http-client-request.js.

Annotate Along: A Simple request

Let's examine and run the request script, lib/http-client-request.js.

Lab: Compare HTTP Client with curl and AJAX

Examine the code in lib/http-client-request.js. How is it similar to curl and AJAX? How does it differ? Make a list.

Annotate the code in lib/http-client-equest-promises.js.

Annotate Along: Sign up then in

Let's examine and run lib/sign-up-and-in.js.

We'll use library-api to handle requests.

Lab: Compare with using promises

List the similarities and differences between lib/sign-up-and-in.js and lib/sign-up-and-in-promises.js

Which has clearer flow control?

Additional Resources

• Basic HTTP Request with Node.js
• Making HTTP Requests in Node.js

License

1. All content is licensed under a CC­BY­NC­SA 4.0 license.
2. All software code is licensed under GNU GPLv3. For commercial use or alternative licensing, please contact [email protected].