What are the differences between streams and buffers in Node.js?

What are the differences between streams and buffers in Node.js?

Streams are objects that allow you to read data from a source or write data to a destination in a continuous manner, while buffers are temporary storage areas that hold data in memory.

Can you explain when to use streams instead of buffers?

You should use streams when dealing with large amounts of data that you don't want to load entirely into memory, such as reading files or handling network requests. Buffers are better for smaller, fixed-size data.

What are the advantages of using streams?

Streams are more memory efficient, allow for processing data in chunks, and can handle data as it arrives, making them ideal for real-time applications.

Are there any performance considerations I should be aware of?

Yes, using streams can improve performance by reducing memory usage and allowing for faster data processing, especially with large datasets.