Data fetching with handlers in Deno

Introduction

Data fetching with handlers lets your server get information when someone asks for it. It helps your app show fresh data from other places like APIs or databases.

When you want to get user info from a database to show on a webpage.

When your app needs to load weather data from an external API.

When you want to handle form submissions and save data on the server.

When you want to respond to different web requests with specific data.

Syntax

Deno

import { serve } from "https://deno.land/std@0.177.0/http/server.ts";

serve(async (req) => {
  // Your handler code here
  return new Response("Hello World");
});

The serve function starts a server and listens for requests.

The handler is an async function that takes a request and returns a response.

Examples

This example sends a simple text response to every request.

Deno

import { serve } from "https://deno.land/std@0.177.0/http/server.ts";

serve(async (req) => {
  return new Response("Simple response");
});

This example checks the request path and returns JSON data if the path is '/data'. Otherwise, it returns a 404 error.

Deno

import { serve } from "https://deno.land/std@0.177.0/http/server.ts";

serve(async (req) => {
  const url = new URL(req.url);
  if (url.pathname === "/data") {
    const data = { message: "Hello from server" };
    return new Response(JSON.stringify(data), {
      headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
    });
  }
  return new Response("Not Found", { status: 404 });
});

Sample Program

This server listens for requests. If the path is '/greet' and has a 'name' query, it says hello with that name. Otherwise, it shows a 404 message.

Deno

import { serve } from "https://deno.land/std@0.177.0/http/server.ts";

serve(async (req) => {
  const url = new URL(req.url);

  if (url.pathname === "/greet") {
    const name = url.searchParams.get("name") || "friend";
    const message = `Hello, ${name}! Welcome to Deno server.`;
    return new Response(message, {
      headers: { "Content-Type": "text/plain; charset=utf-8" },
    });
  }

  return new Response("Page not found", { status: 404 });
});

Important Notes

Always set the correct Content-Type header so browsers know how to handle the response.

Use async functions to fetch data from databases or APIs inside the handler.

Remember to handle different URL paths to serve different data or pages.

Summary

Data fetching with handlers lets your server respond with fresh data when asked.

Use the serve function with an async handler to process requests.

Check the request URL to decide what data to send back.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using a handler function with serve in Deno for data fetching?

easy

A. To compile TypeScript code into JavaScript

B. To create a database connection automatically

C. To style the webpage with CSS

D. To process incoming requests and send back appropriate responses

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of serve and handler

   The serve function listens for incoming HTTP requests and uses the handler function to decide how to respond.

2. Step 2: Identify the handler's purpose

   The handler processes each request and returns the correct response, such as data or status messages.

3. Final Answer:

   To process incoming requests and send back appropriate responses -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Handler processes requests = D [OK]

Hint: Handler functions decide responses for requests [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking handler creates database connections automatically
• Confusing handler with styling or compilation tasks
• Assuming serve compiles code

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to start a basic HTTP server in Deno using a handler function named handler?

easy

A. handler.serve();

B. serve(handler);

C. serve = handler();

D. serve->handler();

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the serve function usage

   In Deno, serve is called with the handler function as an argument to start the server.

2. Step 2: Check syntax correctness

   The correct syntax is serve(handler); which passes the handler function properly.

3. Final Answer:

   serve(handler); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   serve called with handler function = C [OK]

Hint: Call serve with handler function name only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using assignment instead of function call
• Trying to call serve as a method on handler
• Using invalid arrow syntax

3. Given this handler code snippet in Deno:

async function handler(req) {
  if (req.url.endsWith('/hello')) {
    return new Response('Hello World');
  }
  return new Response('Not Found', { status: 404 });
}

What will the server respond when a request is made to http://localhost:8000/hello?

medium

A. A response with body 'Hello World'

B. A 404 Not Found response

C. An empty response with status 200

D. A runtime error occurs

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the URL condition in handler

   The handler checks if the request URL ends with '/hello'. If yes, it returns 'Hello World'.

2. Step 2: Match the request URL

   The request URL is exactly '/hello', so the condition is true and the response is 'Hello World'.

3. Final Answer:

   A response with body 'Hello World' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   URL ends with '/hello' returns 'Hello World' = B [OK]

Hint: Check URL endsWith condition to find response [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming 404 because of missing else
• Thinking response body is empty
• Expecting runtime error from this code

4. Identify the error in this Deno handler code snippet:

async function handler(req) {
  if (req.url === '/data') {
    const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
    return data.json();
  }
  return new Response('Not Found', { status: 404 });
}

medium

A. req.url should be req.path

B. Cannot use fetch inside handler

C. Missing await before data.json()

D. Response status 404 is invalid

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand fetch and response handling

   The fetch returns a Response object; calling data.json() returns a Promise that must be awaited.

2. Step 2: Identify missing await

   The code returns data.json() without awaiting it, which returns a Promise instead of a Response object.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing await before data.json() -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Await JSON parsing Promise = A [OK]

Hint: Always await async JSON parsing in handlers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking fetch is disallowed in handlers
• Using req.path instead of req.url
• Believing 404 status is invalid

5. You want to create a Deno server that fetches user data from an external API only when the request URL is /user. Which handler function correctly fetches the JSON data and returns it as a JSON response?

hard

A. async function handler(req) {
if (req.url.endsWith('/user')) {
const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/user');
const data = await response.json();
return new Response(JSON.stringify(data), { headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' } });
}
return new Response('Not Found', { status: 404 });
}

B. async function handler(req) {
if (req.url === '/user') {
const data = fetch('https://api.example.com/user').json();
return new Response(data);
}
return new Response('Not Found');
}

C. function handler(req) {
if (req.url === '/user') {
const data = await fetch('https://api.example.com/user').json();
return new Response(JSON.stringify(data));
}
return new Response('Not Found');
}

D. async function handler(req) {
if (req.url.includes('/user')) {
const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/user');
return response.json();
}
return new Response('Not Found', { status: 404 });
}

Solution

1. Step 1: Check correct async handling and URL matching

   async function handler(req) { if (req.url.endsWith('/user')) { const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/user'); const data = await response.json(); return new Response(JSON.stringify(data), { headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' } }); } return new Response('Not Found', { status: 404 }); } uses endsWith('/user') to match URL and awaits both fetch and response.json(), which is correct.

2. Step 2: Verify response formatting

   async function handler(req) { if (req.url.endsWith('/user')) { const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/user'); const data = await response.json(); return new Response(JSON.stringify(data), { headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' } }); } return new Response('Not Found', { status: 404 }); } returns a new Response with JSON string and correct Content-Type header, ensuring proper JSON response.

3. Final Answer:

   Option A correctly fetches and returns JSON data with proper async handling and headers -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Await fetch and json, set JSON header = A [OK]

Hint: Await fetch and json, set JSON content-type header [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not awaiting response.json()
• Returning raw Promise instead of Response
• Missing Content-Type header for JSON
• Using non-async function with await