What is a Stream?

A stream is an abstraction for working with data so that it can be read or written continuously. In Node.js, streams are a central part of handling data input and output and are designed to be efficient even with large volumes of data.

Types of Streams in Node.js

1. Readable Streams: Streams from which you can read data. Example: process.stdin.
2. Writable Streams: Streams to which you can write data. Example: process.stdout.
3. Duplex Streams: Streams that are both readable and writable. Example: network sockets.
4. Transform Streams: Streams that can modify or transform the data as it passes through them. Example: data compression.

Creating a Readable Stream

Below is a basic example of how to create and use a readable stream in Node.js.

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Creating a Writable Stream

Below is a simple example of a writable stream.

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Benefits of Using Streams

• Memory Efficiency: You don't need to load the entire file into memory.
• Real-Time Processing: You can process the data as it is read/written.
• Pipe and Chaining: You can chain multiple streams together for complex operations efficiently.

Types of Streams

Streams are essential for handling large amounts of data efficiently and are a fundamental tool in the Node.js ecosystem.