Node.js Streams
Node.js Streams are a core abstraction in Node.js for handling data flow in a memory-efficient and performant way, particularly for large datasets or real-time processing. They allow data to be processed in chunks as it becomes available, rather than loading entire files or payloads into memory at once. Streams are implemented as EventEmitter objects that can be readable, writable, duplex (both readable and writable), or transform (modifying data as it flows).
Developers should learn Node.js Streams when building applications that handle large files, network communications, or real-time data processing, such as video streaming, log file analysis, or API data pipelines. They are essential for optimizing memory usage and improving performance in I/O-bound operations, making them a key skill for backend development, data processing tools, and scalable server applications in Node.js.