http.ClientRequest.connection Property in Node.js

Introduction to http.ClientRequest.connection

In Node.js, the http.ClientRequest.connection property provides access to the underlying TCP socket used for an HTTP request. This property is part of the http module's ClientRequest class and can be useful for low-level network operations, such as inspecting or manipulating the socket directly.

Syntax

const socket = request.connection;

The connection property does not accept any arguments and returns the underlying socket object associated with the request.

Example Usage

Here's an example demonstrating how to access the connection property:

const http = require('http');

const req = http.request('http://example.com', (res) => {
  console.log('Response received');
});

req.on('socket', (socket) => {
  console.log('Socket object:', socket);
});

req.end();

In this example, the 'socket' event is emitted when the underlying socket is assigned to the request. The callback function receives the socket object, which can be used to inspect or manipulate the connection.

Considerations

• Deprecation Notice: The connection property is deprecated in favor of the socket property. It's recommended to use request.socket instead.
• Accessing the Socket: Direct access to the socket allows for low-level operations, such as setting socket options or handling events like 'data' and 'end'.
• Compatibility: Ensure that your Node.js version supports the connection property. Refer to the Node.js documentation for version compatibility details.

Conclusion

The http.ClientRequest.connection property provides access to the underlying TCP socket used for an HTTP request in Node.js. While it offers low-level control over the connection, it's important to note that this property is deprecated. Developers are encouraged to use the socket property for future compatibility.

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