Express res.sendStatus() Method

Posted in Express Tutorial

Updated on Feb 18, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 36 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

When building web applications with Express.js, sending appropriate HTTP status codes is crucial for conveying the outcome of a request.

The res.sendStatus() method simplifies this process by allowing you to send a specific status code along with an optional status message.

In this guide, we'll explore the syntax, use cases, and best practices of the res.sendStatus() method in Express.js.

💡 Syntax

The syntax for the res.sendStatus() method is straightforward:

syntax.js

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res.sendStatus(statusCode)

statusCode: A numeric HTTP status code to be sent in the response.

❓ How res.sendStatus() Works

res.sendStatus() sets the response status code and sends its string representation as the response body. It's a convenient method when you want to send a minimal response with just the status code and a default status message.

example.js

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app.get('/success', (req, res) => {
  // Send a 200 OK status with default message "OK"
  res.sendStatus(200);
});

app.get('/notfound', (req, res) => {
  // Send a 404 Not Found status with default message "Not Found"
  res.sendStatus(404);
});

In this example, different routes demonstrate how to use res.sendStatus() with specific status codes.

📚 Use Cases

Simplifying Success Responses:

Use res.sendStatus() to quickly send success responses without specifying a custom message.
example.js
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```
app.post('/submit', (req, res) => {
  // Process form submission
  // If successful, send a 200 OK status
  res.sendStatus(200);
});
```

Handling Errors:

Easily handle error scenarios by sending appropriate status codes with res.sendStatus().

example.js

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app.get('/resource/:id', (req, res) => {
  const resourceId = req.params.id;
  // Query the database for the resource
  // If not found, send a 404 Not Found status
  if (!resourceExists(resourceId)) {
    res.sendStatus(404);
  } else {
    // Send the resource data
    res.json(getResourceData(resourceId));
  }
});

🏆 Best Practices

Be Explicit in Code:

When using res.sendStatus(), be explicit about the status codes you're sending to ensure clarity in your code.
example.js
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```
// Prefer this
res.sendStatus(404);

// Over this
res.status(404).send('Not Found');
```

Leverage Default Messages:

Take advantage of the default status messages provided by res.sendStatus() to keep your responses concise.

example.js

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app.post('/submit', (req, res) => {
  // Process form submission
  // If successful, send a 200 OK status with default message "OK"
  res.sendStatus(200);
});

🎉 Conclusion

The res.sendStatus() method in Express.js streamlines the process of sending HTTP status codes and default messages. Whether you're handling success responses or managing errors, incorporating res.sendStatus() can lead to cleaner and more maintainable code.

Now, armed with knowledge about the res.sendStatus() method, simplify your response handling in Express.js projects and ensure effective communication with clients.