How to make a file server with vanilla Node.js without any database library

Summary

To create a file server with vanilla Node.js without any database library, we need to focus on file system management and user authentication using local JSON files. This approach allows for a simple, database-less solution for storing and retrieving user files.

Root Cause

The root cause of complexity in implementing such a system lies in:

• User authentication: managing user credentials and sessions without a database
• File system management: handling file uploads, downloads, and storage securely
• Data persistence: using local JSON files to store user data and file metadata

Why This Happens in Real Systems

In real-world systems, the need for a database-less solution may arise due to:

• Scalability constraints: avoiding the overhead of database connections and queries
• Development speed: rapid prototyping and development without database setup
• Simple use cases: applications with minimal data storage requirements

Real-World Impact

The impact of a database-less file server can be significant, including:

• Reduced complexity: simpler system architecture and maintenance
• Improved performance: faster data access and retrieval
• Increased security: reduced attack surface without database vulnerabilities

Example or Code (if necessary and relevant)

const fs = require('fs');
const http = require('http');
const url = require('url');

http.createServer((req, res) => {
  const filePath = url.parse(req.url).pathname;
  if (req.method === 'GET') {
    fs.readFile(`.${filePath}`, (err, data) => {
      if (err) {
        res.writeHead(404);
        res.end('File not found');
      } else {
        res.writeHead(200);
        res.end(data);
      }
    });
  } else if (req.method === 'POST') {
    let body = '';
    req.on('data', (chunk) => {
      body += chunk;
    });
    req.on('end', () => {
      const jsonData = JSON.parse(body);
      fs.writeFile(`.${filePath}`, jsonData, (err) => {
        if (err) {
          res.writeHead(500);
          res.end('Error writing file');
        } else {
          res.writeHead(201);
          res.end('File created');
        }
      });
    });
  }
}).listen(3000, () => {
  console.log('Server listening on port 3000');
});

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers address the challenges of a database-less file server by:

• Implementing robust authentication: using secure password hashing and salting
• Optimizing file system management: using efficient file upload and download mechanisms
• Ensuring data consistency: using transactions or locking mechanisms to prevent data corruption

Why Juniors Miss It

Junior engineers may overlook the importance of:

• Error handling: properly handling errors and exceptions in file system operations
• Security: ensuring secure authentication and authorization mechanisms
• Scalability: designing the system to handle increased traffic and file storage requirements