Explain the difference between `pipe()` and `on('data')` when working with streams.

Q: Explain the difference between `pipe()` and `on('data')` when working with streams.

var readable = fs.createReadStream('input.txt'); // Create a writable stream var writable = fs.createWriteStream('output.txt'); // Calling pipe method readable.pipe(writable); stream.on('data', (chunk) => { ... });

Difficulty: 5/10

streams, pipe, event handling

pipe(): Used to connect streams and automatically handle data flow from one stream to another.

on('data'): An event listener that allows you to manually handle incoming data as it's emitted by a readable stream.

Scenario Questions

0-2 years experience

1You need to copy the contents of one file to another using streams. Would you use pipe() or attach a 'data' listener, and why?
2If you add a 'data' listener to a readable stream but never call stream.resume(), what will the program do?
3What changes, if any, occur when you call pipe() on a stream that already has a 'data' listener attached?

Follow-up Questions

How does backpressure differ between pipe() and manual data listeners?
What happens if an error is emitted on the source stream when using pipe()?
Can you describe a scenario where you’d prefer a 'data' listener over pipe()?