[FIXED] What does `app.use(bodyParser.json())` do?

Issue

For:

bodyParser.urlencoded({extended: ...})

my research shows me that if extended: true, then you can parse nested objects, or generally any type. However, if you set extended: false, then you can only parse strings or arrays. But what does ...

app.use(bodyParser.json())

mean exactly? I mean, yes... I know the docs mention that it parses json. But I am still confused. I have noticed applications that set extended: true do NOT use bodyParser.json() at all. But applications that extended: false tend to use bodyParser.json(). Why is this? At the end of the day, both applications are able to parse json.

Secondly, which is the recommended approach?

Solution

Okay, contrary to what I previously thought, further research shows that extended: true and app.use(bodyParser.json()) can be used together. So it is not only extended: false that uses it. The statement app.use(bodyParser.json()) is to be used independently, whether you set extended as true or false.

• app.use(bodyParser.json()) basically tells the system that you want json to be used.

• bodyParser.urlencoded({extended: ...}) basically tells the system whether you want to use a simple algorithm for shallow parsing (i.e. false) or complex algorithm for deep parsing that can deal with nested objects (i.e. true).

Have a look at the docs (i.e. https://expressjs.com/en/guide/migrating-4.html) for the example.

Answered By - Grateful

Answer Checked By - Terry (PHPFixing Volunteer)