HTTP Requests: Axios vs Fetch()
When it comes to making HTTP requests, developers often face a dilemma: should they use Axios or fetch()? While both APIs have their advantages, it’s essential to understand their differences to make an informed decision.
Basic Syntax
Let’s start with the basics. Axios and fetch() have different syntaxes for sending HTTP requests. Axios uses the data property to send data, whereas fetch() uses the body property. Additionally, Axios automatically converts data to JSON, whereas fetch() requires manual conversion using JSON.stringify.
Backward Compatibility
One of Axios’ significant advantages is its wide browser support, including old browsers like IE11. Fetch(), on the other hand, only supports modern browsers. However, you can use a polyfill to implement similar functionality on older browsers.
Response Timeout
Setting a timeout in Axios is relatively straightforward using the timeout property. Fetch() provides similar functionality through the AbortController interface, although it’s more complex.
Automatic JSON Data Transformation
Axios automatically stringifies data when sending requests, whereas fetch() requires manual transformation. While this may seem like a minor difference, it can significantly impact your development workflow.
HTTP Interceptors
Axios’ ability to intercept HTTP requests is a powerful feature, allowing you to examine or change requests and responses. While fetch() doesn’t provide a built-in way to intercept requests, you can create a workaround by overwriting the global fetch() method.
Download Progress
Implementing progress indicators is crucial when loading large assets. Axios provides a simpler way to achieve this using the Axios Progress Bar module. Fetch(), on the other hand, uses the ReadableStream API to provide users with immediate feedback during downloads.
Simultaneous Requests
Making multiple simultaneous requests is essential in modern web development. Axios provides the axios.all() method, while fetch() uses the built-in Promise.all() method.
Configuring CORS
Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) is a critical aspect of HTTP requests. To properly handle CORS, you need to configure the server and include the Access-Control-Allow-Origin header in responses. Both Axios and fetch() require careful handling of CORS to avoid errors.
Effectively Handling Responses
Response management is a critical part of every application invoking an API. Axios and fetch() have different approaches to error management, with Axios automatically rejecting promises on server-side errors, whereas fetch() resolves promises normally with the ok status set to false.
In conclusion, while Axios provides an easy-to-use API, fetch() is a viable alternative that can reproduce many of Axios’ features. Ultimately, the choice between Axios and fetch() depends on your specific needs and preferences.