File handling is an essential skill in any programming language, and in Node.js, we have a robust set of modules that allow us to perform file operations efficiently. In this chapter, we will explore the basics of file handling in Node.js, including how to read, write, and manipulate files in the file system.

The fs Module

Node.js provides the fs (file system) module to interact with the file system. This module includes both synchronous and asynchronous methods for handling files, although it is recommended to use the asynchronous versions to avoid blocking the event loop.

Reading Files

Let's start with a basic example of how to read a file using the fs module:

Synchronous Reading

Synchronous reading is straightforward, but remember that it can block the event loop, which is not ideal for production applications:

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Asynchronous Reading

The recommended version is asynchronous reading, which will not block the event loop and will allow other operations to continue executing:

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Writing Files

Similar to reading files, we can write files both synchronously and asynchronously.

Synchronous Writing

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Asynchronous Writing

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File Manipulation

In addition to reading and writing files, the fs module provides methods for manipulating files such as renaming, deleting, and copying files.

Renaming Files

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Deleting Files

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Practical Example: Handling Image Files

To connect these fundamentals with working with images, let's give a practical example of how to read and write images using the fs module.

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[Here you could add an image showing a directory structure with text files and images, highlighting the operations of reading, writing, renaming, and deleting]

With these fundamentals, you will be prepared to perform file handling operations in Node.js, which is essential for the upcoming chapters where we will focus on the specific manipulation of image files.