15 Node.js Mistakes Killing Your App (And How to Fix Them)

15 Common Node.js Mistakes That Are Slowing Down Your App

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15 Common Node.js Mistakes That Are Slowing Down Your App

Photo by Techquestworld

Node.js is powerful, but even a small mistake can significantly impact performance. Learn the 15 most common Node.js mistakes and exactly how to fix them.

🚫 Mistake 1: Blocking the Event Loop

Problem: Using synchronous code like fs.readFileSync() In a high-traffic route.

// ❌ Bad

const data = fs.readFileSync('data.json');

res.send(data);

Fix: Use non-blocking async calls.

// ✅ Good

fs.readFile('data.json', 'utf8', (err, data) => {

if (err) return res.status(500).send('Error');

res.send(data);

});

⚠️ Mistake 2: Not Handling Promises Properly

// ❌ Bad

app.get('/', async (req, res) => {

const user = await getUser();

const posts = await getPosts();

res.send({ user, posts });

});

Fix: Use Promise.all for concurrent async operations.

// ✅ Good

app.get('/', async (req, res) => {

const [user, posts] = await Promise.all([getUser(), getPosts()]);

res.send({ user, posts });

});

🧱 Mistake 3: Poor Error Handling

// ❌ Bad

app.get('/user', async (req, res) => {

const user = await getUserById(req.query.id);

res.send(user);

});

Fix: Always use try-catch with async/await.

// ✅ Good

app.get('/user', async (req, res) => {

try {

const user = await getUserById(req.query.id);

res.send(user);

} catch (error) {

res.status(500).send('Something went wrong');

}

});

🔄 Mistake 4: Not Using Environment Variables

Problem: Hardcoding credentials like DB passwords.

// ❌ Bad

const dbPassword = '123456';

Fix: Keep your sensitive data safe by placing it in a .env file and accessing it securely through process.env instead of hardcoding it.

// ✅ Good

require('dotenv').config();

const dbPassword = process.env.DB_PASSWORD;

🚧 Mistake 5: Not Using a Process Manager in Production

Problem: Running node server.js directly. Fix: Use PM2 or Docker for better uptime.

npm install pm2 -g

pm2 start server.js

💬 Found yourself making one of these Node.js mistakes? Let us know in the comments!

🚀 Follow us at TechQuestWorld for more backend performance tips and tutorials.

TAPAS SAHOO

Developer by Profession, Techie by Heart

A curious mind with a love for writing and technology, dedicated to simplifying web development and programming topics while keeping up with the ever-changing tech landscape.

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15 Common Node.js Mistakes That Are Slowing Down Your App

🚫 Mistake 1: Blocking the Event Loop

⚠️ Mistake 2: Not Handling Promises Properly

🧱 Mistake 3: Poor Error Handling

🔄 Mistake 4: Not Using Environment Variables

🚧 Mistake 5: Not Using a Process Manager in Production

TAPAS SAHOO

Discussion (0)

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