What is the difference between Buffer and String in Node.js?

What is the difference between Buffer and String in Node.js?

In Node.js, a Buffer is a raw binary data storage, while a String is a sequence of characters. Buffers are used for handling binary data, such as file streams, while Strings are used for text.

When should I use Buffer instead of String?

You should use Buffer when dealing with binary data, such as image files or network protocols, where encoding and decoding are necessary.

Can you give me an example of using Buffer?

Sure! You can create a Buffer from a string like this: const buf = Buffer.from('Hello World');. This converts the string into a Buffer object.

What about converting a Buffer back to a String?

You can convert a Buffer back to a String using buf.toString(). For example, buf.toString('utf-8') will give you the original string.