Size and Performance
- whatwg-url:
whatwg-urlis a reference implementation of the URL Standard, which is more comprehensive than other libraries. While it may be larger than some lightweight alternatives, it provides a thorough and compliant solution for handling URLs, making it suitable for applications that require strict adherence to web standards. - url-parse:
url-parseis a lightweight library (around 1KB minified) designed for fast URL parsing. Its small size and quick parsing capabilities make it suitable for both browser and Node.js applications, especially when performance is a priority. - url:
The
urlmodule is built into Node.js, so it has no additional size overhead for server-side applications. It provides comprehensive URL handling, but its performance is optimized for server environments rather than client-side use. - query-string:
query-stringis a small library (about 1KB minified) that offers efficient parsing and stringifying of query strings with minimal impact on performance. Its lightweight nature makes it ideal for client-side applications where load time and bandwidth are concerns. - url-search-params:
url-search-paramsis a polyfill for the URLSearchParams API, which is lightweight and does not significantly impact performance. It is useful for adding standardized query parameter handling to environments that lack native support.
API Design
- whatwg-url:
whatwg-urlprovides a detailed and standards-compliant API for URL manipulation. It follows the URL Standard closely, offering methods and properties that align with modern web specifications. This makes it a reliable choice for developers who need a compliant and comprehensive URL handling solution. - url-parse:
url-parseoffers a straightforward API for parsing URLs. It breaks down the URL into its components (protocol, host, pathname, etc.) and allows easy access and manipulation of these parts. The API is simple and well-suited for quick URL parsing tasks. - url:
The
urlmodule in Node.js offers a robust API for URL manipulation, including parsing, formatting, and resolving URLs. It provides detailed access to all URL components, but its API can be complex for beginners due to its comprehensive nature. - query-string:
query-stringprovides a simple and intuitive API for parsing and stringifying query strings. It supports nested objects and arrays, making it easy to work with complex query parameters. The API is well-documented and easy to use, even for developers who are not familiar with query string manipulation. - url-search-params:
url-search-paramsprovides a clean and simple API for working with query parameters. It allows easy retrieval, modification, and deletion of parameters, and supports iteration over them. The API is designed to be intuitive and aligns with the standard URLSearchParams interface.
Query Parameter Handling
- whatwg-url:
whatwg-urlprovides comprehensive support for query parameters as part of its URL implementation. It adheres to the URL Standard, offering robust methods for manipulating query parameters, including support for nested and complex structures. - url-parse:
url-parsehandles query parameters as part of its URL parsing functionality. It provides access to the query string and allows for basic manipulation, but it does not offer advanced features for handling complex or nested query parameters. - url:
The
urlmodule provides basic query parameter handling through itsURLandURLSearchParamsclasses. While it supports standard query parameter manipulation, it is not as specialized or flexible as dedicated query string libraries. - query-string:
query-stringexcels at handling complex query parameters, including nested objects and arrays. It provides options for customizing the parsing and stringifying processes, such as specifying delimiters and encoding. This makes it highly flexible for working with a wide variety of query string formats. - url-search-params:
url-search-paramsfocuses on query parameter manipulation, providing a standard interface for adding, removing, and modifying parameters. It supports iteration and works well with both simple and complex query strings, making it a reliable choice for most use cases.
Ease of Use: Code Examples
- whatwg-url:
whatwg-urlprovides a compliant way to work with URLs according to the URL Standard. Here’s a simple example:import { URL } from 'whatwg-url'; const myUrl = new URL('https://example.com/path?name=John&age=30'); // Accessing URL components console.log(myUrl.hostname); // Output: 'example.com' console.log(myUrl.pathname); // Output: '/path' console.log(myUrl.searchParams.get('name')); // Output: 'John' // Modifying URL components myUrl.pathname = '/new-path'; myUrl.searchParams.append('city', 'New York'); console.log(myUrl.toString()); // Output: 'https://example.com/new-path?name=John&age=30&city=New+York' - url-parse:
url-parseprovides a simple way to parse URLs and access their components. Here’s an example:import urlParse from 'url-parse'; const parsedUrl = urlParse('https://example.com/path?name=John&age=30'); console.log(parsedUrl.protocol); // Output: 'https:' console.log(parsedUrl.hostname); // Output: 'example.com' console.log(parsedUrl.query.name); // Output: 'John' // Modifying the URL parsedUrl.set('query', { name: 'Jane', city: 'New York' }); console.log(parsedUrl.toString()); // Output: 'https://example.com/path?name=Jane&city=New+York' - url:
The
urlmodule in Node.js provides powerful tools for URL manipulation, but it can be more complex to use due to its comprehensive nature. Here’s a basic example:const { URL } = require('url'); // Creating a new URL const myUrl = new URL('https://example.com/path?name=John&age=30'); // Accessing URL components console.log(myUrl.hostname); // Output: 'example.com' console.log(myUrl.pathname); // Output: '/path' console.log(myUrl.searchParams.get('name')); // Output: 'John' // Modifying URL components myUrl.pathname = '/new-path'; myUrl.searchParams.append('city', 'New York'); console.log(myUrl.toString()); // Output: 'https://example.com/new-path?name=John&age=30&city=New+York' - query-string:
query-stringmakes it easy to work with query strings in a way that is both efficient and intuitive. Here’s a simple example of how to use it:import { parse, stringify } from 'query-string'; // Parsing a query string const parsed = parse('?foo=bar&baz=qux&nested%5Bkey%5D=value'); console.log(parsed); // Output: { foo: 'bar', baz: 'qux', nested: { key: 'value' } } // Stringifying an object into a query string const queryString = stringify({ foo: 'bar', baz: 'qux', nested: { key: 'value' } }); console.log(queryString); // Output: 'foo=bar&baz=qux&nested%5Bkey%5D=value' - url-search-params:
url-search-paramsprovides a simple interface for working with query parameters. Here’s an example:const params = new URLSearchParams('?name=John&age=30&city=New+York'); // Accessing parameters console.log(params.get('name')); // Output: 'John' console.log(params.get('age')); // Output: '30' // Modifying parameters params.set('age', '31'); params.append('country', 'USA'); params.delete('city'); console.log(params.toString()); // Output: 'name=John&age=31&country=USA'