jsonfile vs node-fetch
File and Network Operations Comparison
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What's File and Network Operations?

jsonfile and node-fetch are two distinct Node.js packages that serve different purposes in file and network operations. jsonfile is a simple library for reading and writing JSON files, providing an easy-to-use API for file system interactions. It handles JSON serialization and deserialization, making it ideal for applications that need to store or retrieve structured data from files. On the other hand, node-fetch is a lightweight module that brings window.fetch to Node.js, allowing developers to make HTTP requests using a familiar API. It supports promises and streams, making it suitable for fetching data from APIs or other web resources. While both packages are useful in their own right, they cater to different aspects of data handling in JavaScript applications.

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jsonfile66,006,5601,207-54 years agoMIT
node-fetch63,733,6098,835107 kB2142 years agoMIT
Feature Comparison: jsonfile vs node-fetch

Primary Functionality

  • jsonfile:

    jsonfile specializes in file system operations, specifically for JSON data. It provides methods to read, write, and manipulate JSON files easily, making it a go-to choice for local data storage and retrieval.

  • node-fetch:

    node-fetch focuses on network communication, enabling HTTP requests to remote servers. It supports various request methods (GET, POST, etc.), handles responses, and allows for streaming data, making it versatile for web interactions.

Use Cases

  • jsonfile:

    Use jsonfile when you need to store configuration settings, user data, or any structured information in JSON format on the local file system. It is perfect for applications that require persistent storage without a database.

  • node-fetch:

    Use node-fetch when you need to interact with RESTful APIs, download files from the internet, or send data to remote servers. It is essential for applications that rely on external data sources or services.

Error Handling

  • jsonfile:

    jsonfile provides straightforward error handling for file operations, such as handling file not found errors or JSON parsing errors. It allows developers to implement custom error handling easily.

  • node-fetch:

    node-fetch handles network-related errors, such as timeouts, connection issues, and HTTP errors. It returns a promise that can be rejected, allowing for robust error handling in asynchronous code.

Streaming Support

  • jsonfile:

    jsonfile does not support streaming data, as it operates on the entire JSON file at once. This can be a limitation for very large files, as it requires loading the entire file into memory.

  • node-fetch:

    node-fetch supports streaming both requests and responses, allowing for efficient handling of large amounts of data without loading everything into memory at once. This makes it suitable for working with large files or real-time data.

Example Code

  • jsonfile:

    Example of using jsonfile to read and write JSON files:

    const jsonfile = require('jsonfile');
const file = 'data.json';

// Write JSON data to a file
const data = { name: 'John', age: 30 };
jsonfile.writeFile(file, data)
  .then(() => console.log('Data written to file'))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

// Read JSON data from a file
jsonfile.readFile(file)
  .then(obj => console.log('Data read from file:', obj))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));
  • node-fetch:

    Example of using node-fetch to make an HTTP request:

    const fetch = require('node-fetch');

// Make a GET request to an API
fetch('https://api.example.com/data')
  .then(response => {
    if (!response.ok) throw new Error('Network response was not ok');
    return response.json();
  })
  .then(data => console.log('Data fetched from API:', data))
  .catch(err => console.error('Fetch error:', err));
How to Choose: jsonfile vs node-fetch
  • jsonfile:

    Choose jsonfile if your primary need is to read from or write to JSON files on the local file system. It is particularly useful for applications that require simple file I/O operations without the complexity of handling network requests.

  • node-fetch:

    Choose node-fetch if you need to make HTTP requests to external servers, APIs, or web resources. It is ideal for applications that require fetching data over the network, handling responses, and working with streams.

Similar Npm Packages to jsonfile

jsonfile is a simple and convenient Node.js package for reading and writing JSON files. It provides a straightforward API that allows developers to easily manage JSON data stored in files, making it a popular choice for applications that require persistent storage of structured data. While jsonfile is effective for basic file operations, there are other libraries that offer similar or extended functionalities. Here are a few alternatives:

  • lowdb is a small local JSON database powered by Lodash. It is designed for simplicity and ease of use, allowing developers to create a lightweight database with minimal setup. Lowdb is particularly useful for applications that need to store and retrieve data in a structured format without the overhead of a full-fledged database system. It supports various data manipulation methods and can be a great choice for projects that require a quick and easy way to manage data without complex configurations.
  • write-json-file is a focused library that specifically handles writing JSON data to files. It provides a simple API for writing JSON objects to files, ensuring that the data is properly formatted and saved. While it is more specialized than jsonfile, it can be a good option if your primary need is to write JSON data to files without additional features like reading or managing data structures.

To see how jsonfile compares with lowdb and write-json-file, check out the comparison: Comparing jsonfile vs lowdb vs write-json-file.

Similar Npm Packages to node-fetch

node-fetch is a lightweight module that brings window.fetch to Node.js, allowing developers to make HTTP requests in a simple and familiar way. It is particularly useful for server-side applications that need to interact with APIs or fetch resources over the network. While node-fetch is a popular choice for making HTTP requests in Node.js, there are several alternatives that also provide robust solutions. Here are a few noteworthy alternatives:

  • axios is a widely-used promise-based HTTP client for both the browser and Node.js. It offers a rich feature set, including automatic JSON data transformation, request and response interceptors, and the ability to cancel requests. Axios is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a go-to choice for many developers when it comes to making HTTP requests. If you need a powerful and flexible HTTP client that works seamlessly in both environments, axios is an excellent option.
  • got is another popular HTTP request library for Node.js that focuses on simplicity and performance. It provides a rich set of features, including retries, timeouts, and streaming support. Got is designed to be a more modern and user-friendly alternative to the built-in http module in Node.js, making it a great choice for developers who want a straightforward and efficient way to handle HTTP requests. If you are building a Node.js application and need a feature-rich HTTP client, got is worth considering.
  • isomorphic-fetch is a library that provides a universal fetch API for both the browser and Node.js. It is built on top of the native fetch API and aims to provide a consistent interface across different environments. This makes it a suitable choice for applications that need to run both on the server and the client without changing the code for making HTTP requests. If you are looking for a solution that works seamlessly in both environments, isomorphic-fetch can be a good fit.

To see how node-fetch compares with axios, got, and isomorphic-fetch, check out the comparison: Comparing axios vs got vs isomorphic-fetch vs node-fetch.

README for jsonfile

Node.js - jsonfile

Easily read/write JSON files in Node.js. Note: this module cannot be used in the browser.

npm Package build status windows Build status

Standard JavaScript

Why?

Writing JSON.stringify() and then fs.writeFile() and JSON.parse() with fs.readFile() enclosed in try/catch blocks became annoying.

Installation

npm install --save jsonfile

API

readFile(filename, [options], callback)

options (object, default undefined): Pass in any fs.readFile options or set reviver for a JSON reviver.

  • throws (boolean, default: true). If JSON.parse throws an error, pass this error to the callback. If false, returns null for the object.
const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')
const file = '/tmp/data.json'
jsonfile.readFile(file, function (err, obj) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
  console.dir(obj)
})

You can also use this method with promises. The readFile method will return a promise if you do not pass a callback function.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')
const file = '/tmp/data.json'
jsonfile.readFile(file)
  .then(obj => console.dir(obj))
  .catch(error => console.error(error))

readFileSync(filename, [options])

options (object, default undefined): Pass in any fs.readFileSync options or set reviver for a JSON reviver.

  • throws (boolean, default: true). If an error is encountered reading or parsing the file, throw the error. If false, returns null for the object.
const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')
const file = '/tmp/data.json'

console.dir(jsonfile.readFileSync(file))

writeFile(filename, obj, [options], callback)

options: Pass in any fs.writeFile options or set replacer for a JSON replacer. Can also pass in spaces, or override EOL string or set finalEOL flag as false to not save the file with EOL at the end.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, function (err) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
})

Or use with promises as follows:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj)
  .then(res => {
    console.log('Write complete')
  })
  .catch(error => console.error(error))

formatting with spaces:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, { spaces: 2 }, function (err) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
})

overriding EOL:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, { spaces: 2, EOL: '\r\n' }, function (err) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
})

disabling the EOL at the end of file:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, { spaces: 2, finalEOL: false }, function (err) {
  if (err) console.log(err)
})

appending to an existing JSON file:

You can use fs.writeFile option { flag: 'a' } to achieve this.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/mayAlreadyExistedData.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFile(file, obj, { flag: 'a' }, function (err) {
  if (err) console.error(err)
})

writeFileSync(filename, obj, [options])

options: Pass in any fs.writeFileSync options or set replacer for a JSON replacer. Can also pass in spaces, or override EOL string or set finalEOL flag as false to not save the file with EOL at the end.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj)

formatting with spaces:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj, { spaces: 2 })

overriding EOL:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj, { spaces: 2, EOL: '\r\n' })

disabling the EOL at the end of file:

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/data.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj, { spaces: 2, finalEOL: false })

appending to an existing JSON file:

You can use fs.writeFileSync option { flag: 'a' } to achieve this.

const jsonfile = require('jsonfile')

const file = '/tmp/mayAlreadyExistedData.json'
const obj = { name: 'JP' }

jsonfile.writeFileSync(file, obj, { flag: 'a' })

License

(MIT License)

Copyright 2012-2016, JP Richardson jprichardson@gmail.com

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