Error response formatting in Node.js - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of error response formatting in Node.js APIs?

Error response formatting helps send clear, consistent messages to clients when something goes wrong. It makes debugging easier and improves user experience by providing understandable error details.

beginner

Which HTTP status code is commonly used for a generic server error?

The HTTP status code 500 is used for generic server errors, indicating that something went wrong on the server side.

intermediate

Why should error responses include a consistent JSON structure?

Consistent JSON structure allows clients to easily parse and handle errors programmatically. It also helps frontend developers display meaningful messages to users.

beginner

Show a simple example of a JSON error response format.

A simple JSON error response might look like: {"error": {"message": "Not Found", "code": 404}}. This clearly tells the client what went wrong and the error code.

intermediate

What is a good practice when sending error details in production environments?

In production, avoid sending sensitive error details to clients. Instead, send a generic message and log the detailed error on the server for developers to review.

Which HTTP status code indicates a client error due to bad request?

A 400

B 500

C 200

D 302

400 means Bad Request, indicating the client sent invalid data.

What is the main benefit of formatting error responses as JSON?

A It speeds up the server

B It makes errors easier to read and handle by clients

C It hides all error details

D It changes the HTTP status code automatically

JSON formatting helps clients parse and display errors clearly.

Which of these is NOT a good practice for error response formatting?

A Logging detailed errors on the server

B Sending consistent error structure

C Using proper HTTP status codes

D Including sensitive server details in production errors

Avoid exposing sensitive details to clients in production.

What should an error response include besides the HTTP status code?

A A clear error message

B The full server stack trace

C Client's IP address

D User's password

A clear message helps clients understand the error.

In Node.js, which method is commonly used to send a JSON error response?

A console.log()

B res.sendFile()

C res.json()

D process.exit()

res.json() sends a JSON response to the client.

Explain why consistent error response formatting is important in Node.js APIs.

Think about how clients and developers benefit from predictable error messages.

Describe best practices for sending error responses in production environments.

Consider security and user experience.