Streams process data piece by piece without loading everything into memory. Here's how to use them effectively.
Stream Types
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Reading Streams
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Writing Streams
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Piping Streams
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Creating Readable Streams
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Creating Writable Streams
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Creating Transform Streams
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Duplex Streams
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Async Iteration
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Backpressure Handling
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HTTP with Streams
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Error Handling
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Best Practices
Stream Usage:
✓ Use pipeline() for piping
✓ Handle all error events
✓ Use objectMode for objects
✓ Implement _flush for transforms
Performance:
✓ Use streams for large data
✓ Set appropriate highWaterMark
✓ Handle backpressure
✓ Avoid unnecessary buffering
Memory:
✓ Don't collect all data in array
✓ Process chunks immediately
✓ Use async iteration
✓ Destroy unused streams
Avoid:
✗ Ignoring backpressure
✗ Missing error handlers
✗ Calling push() after null
✗ Large highWaterMark values
Conclusion
Streams enable efficient data processing by handling data in chunks rather than loading everything into memory. Use Readable for sources, Writable for destinations, Transform for processing, and Duplex for bidirectional communication. Always use pipeline() for piping multiple streams together, handle errors properly, and respect backpressure signals for robust stream processing.