How can I retrieve and parse the request body in Node.js and Express POST requests?

Retrieving Request Body in Node.js and Express POST Requests

When performing POST requests in Node.js with Express, accessing the request body requires specific considerations. In this Q&A, we explore the solutions and provide insights into handling request bodies effectively.

Solution 1: Using Express Built-In JSON Middleware

From Express version 4.16 onwards, built-in middleware for parsing JSON request bodies is available. Simply add the following line to your code:

app.use(express.json())

This will Parse JSON request bodies and make them accessible through req.body.

Solution 2: Parsing Request Bodies Manually

Alternatively, you can parse request bodies manually without using express.bodyParser(). However, this requires additional steps:

1. Set the Content-Type header to application/json in the request.
2. Use request.on('data', function(chunk) {}) to read the body data chunk by chunk.
3. Reconstruct the JSON object from the collected chunks.

Getting Raw Request Body

To access the raw request body, skip using express.bodyParser() and instead use request.rawBody. However, this may not always be reliable, as Express doesn't directly provide this functionality.

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