diff --git a/doc/api/buffer.markdown b/doc/api/buffer.markdown index 6fa7f7c9946965..64dcc67f54f825 100644 --- a/doc/api/buffer.markdown +++ b/doc/api/buffer.markdown @@ -2,20 +2,50 @@ Stability: 2 - Stable -Pure JavaScript is Unicode-friendly but not nice to binary data. When -dealing with TCP streams or the file system, it's necessary to handle octet -streams. Node.js has several strategies for manipulating, creating, and -consuming octet streams. +Prior to the introduction of `TypedArray` in ECMAScript 2015 (ES6), the +JavaScript language had no mechanism for reading or manipulating streams +of binary data. The `Buffer` class was introduced as part of the Node.js +API to make it possible to interact with octet streams in the context of things +like TCP streams and file system operations. -Raw data is stored in instances of the `Buffer` class. A `Buffer` is similar -to an array of integers but corresponds to a raw memory allocation outside -the V8 heap. A `Buffer` cannot be resized. +Now that `TypedArray` has been added in ES6, the `Buffer` class implements the +`Uint8Array` API in a manner that is more optimized and suitable for Node.js' +use cases. -The `Buffer` class is a global, making it very rare that one would need -to ever `require('buffer')`. +Instances of the `Buffer` class are similar to arrays of integers but +correspond to fixed-sized, raw memory allocations outside the V8 heap. +The size of the `Buffer` is established when it is created and cannot be +resized. -Converting between Buffers and JavaScript string objects requires an explicit -encoding method. The different string encodings are: +The `Buffer` class is a global within Node.js, making it unlikely that one +would need to ever use `require('buffer')`. + + const buf1 = new Buffer(10); + // creates a buffer of length 10 + + const buf2 = new Buffer([1,2,3]); + // creates a buffer containing [01, 02, 03] + + const buf3 = new Buffer('test'); + // creates a buffer containing ASCII bytes [74, 65, 73, 74] + + const buf4 = new Buffer('tést', 'utf8'); + // creates a buffer containing UTF8 bytes [74, c3, a9, 73, 74] + +### Buffers and Character Encodings + +Buffers are commonly used to represent sequences of encoded characters +such as UTF8, UCS2, Base64 or even Hex-encoded data. It is possible to +convert back and forth between Buffers and ordinary JavaScript string objects +by using an explicit encoding method. + + const buf = new Buffer('hello world', 'ascii'); + console.log(buf.toString('hex')); + // prints: 68656c6c6f20776f726c64 + console.log(buf.toString('base64')); + // prints: aGVsbG8gd29ybGQ= + +The character encodings currently supported by Node.js include: * `'ascii'` - for 7-bit ASCII data only. This encoding method is very fast and will strip the high bit if set. @@ -36,21 +66,72 @@ encoding method. The different string encodings are: * `'hex'` - Encode each byte as two hexadecimal characters. -Creating a typed array from a `Buffer` works with the following caveats: +### Buffers and TypedArray -1. The buffer's memory is copied, not shared. +Buffers are also `Uint8Array` TypedArray instances. However, there are subtle +incompatibilities with the TypedArray specification in ECMAScript 2015. For +instance, while `ArrayBuffer#slice()` creates a copy of the slice, +the implementation of [`Buffer#slice()`][] creates a view over the existing +Buffer without copying, making `Buffer#slice()` far more efficient. -2. The buffer's memory is interpreted as an array, not a byte array. That is, - `new Uint32Array(new Buffer([1,2,3,4]))` creates a 4-element `Uint32Array` +It is also possible to create new TypedArray instances from a `Buffer` with the +following caveats: + +1. The Buffer instances's memory is copied to the TypedArray, not shared. + +2. The Buffer's memory is interpreted as an array of distinct elements, and not +as a byte array of the target type. That is, +`new Uint32Array(new Buffer([1,2,3,4]))` creates a 4-element `Uint32Array` with elements `[1,2,3,4]`, not a `Uint32Array` with a single element `[0x1020304]` or `[0x4030201]`. -NOTE: Node.js v0.8 retained a reference to the buffer in `array.buffer` instead -of cloning it. +It is possible to create a new Buffer that shares the same allocated memory as +a TypedArray instance by using the TypeArray objects `.buffer` property: + + const arr = new Uint16Array(2); + arr[0] = 5000; + arr[1] = 4000; + + const buf1 = new Buffer(arr); // copies the buffer + const buf2 = new Buffer(arr.buffer); // shares the memory with arr; + + console.log(buf1); + // Prints: , copied buffer has only two elements + console.log(buf2); + // Prints: + + arr[1] = 6000; + console.log(buf1); + // Prints: + console.log(buf2); + // Prints: + +Note that when creating a Buffer using the TypeArray's `.buffer`, it is not +currently possible to use only a portion of the underlying `ArrayBuffer`. To +create a Buffer that uses only a part of the `ArrayBuffer`, use the +`buf.slice()` function after the Buffer is created: + + const arr = new Uint16Array(20); + const buf = new Buffer(arr.buffer).slice(0, 16); + console.log(buf.length); + // Prints: 16 + +### Buffers and ES6 iteration + +Buffers can be iterated over using the ECMAScript 2015 (ES6) `for..of` syntax: + + const buf = new Buffer([1, 2, 3]); + + for (var b of buf) + console.log(b) + + // Prints: + // 1 + // 2 + // 3 -While more efficient, it introduces subtle incompatibilities with the typed -arrays specification. `ArrayBuffer#slice()` makes a copy of the slice while -[`Buffer#slice()`][] creates a view. +Additionally, the `buffer.values()`, `buffer.keys()`, and `buffer.entries()` +methods can be used to create iterators. ## Class: Buffer @@ -61,7 +142,11 @@ It can be constructed in a variety of ways. * `array` Array -Allocates a new buffer using an `array` of octets. +Allocates a new Buffer using an `array` of octets. + + const buf = new Buffer([0x62,0x75,0x66,0x66,0x65,0x72]); + // creates a new Buffer containing ASCII bytes + // ['b','u','f','f','e','r'] ### new Buffer(buffer) @@ -69,26 +154,80 @@ Allocates a new buffer using an `array` of octets. Copies the passed `buffer` data onto a new `Buffer` instance. + const buf1 = new Buffer('buffer'); + const buf2 = new Buffer(buf1); + + buf1[0] = 0x61; + console.log(buf1.toString()); + // 'auffer' + console.log(buf2.toString()); + // 'buffer' (copy is not changed) + +### new Buffer(arrayBuffer) + +* `arrayBuffer` - The `.buffer` property of a `TypedArray` or a `new + ArrayBuffer()` + +When passed a reference to the `.buffer` property of a `TypedArray` instance, +the newly created Buffer will share the same allocated memory as the +TypedArray. + + const arr = new Uint16Array(2); + arr[0] = 5000; + arr[1] = 4000; + + const buf = new Buffer(arr.buffer); // shares the memory with arr; + + console.log(buf); + // Prints: + + // changing the TypdArray changes the Buffer also + arr[1] = 6000; + + console.log(buf); + // Prints: + ### new Buffer(size) * `size` Number -Allocates a new buffer of `size` bytes. `size` must be less than -1,073,741,824 bytes (1 GB) on 32-bit architectures or -2,147,483,648 bytes (2 GB) on 64-bit architectures. -Otherwise, a [`RangeError`][] is thrown. +Allocates a new Buffer of `size` bytes. The `size` must be less than +or equal to the value of `require('buffer').kMaxLength` (on 64-bit +architectures, `kMaxLength` is `(2^31)-1`). Otherwise, a [`RangeError`][] is +thrown. If a `size` less than 0 is specified, a zero-length Buffer will be +created. + +Unlike `ArrayBuffers`, the underlying memory for Buffer instances created in +this way is not initialized. The contents of a newly created `Buffer` are +unknown and could contain sensitive data. Use [`buf.fill(0)`][] to initialize a +Buffer to zeroes. -Unlike `ArrayBuffers`, the underlying memory for buffers is not initialized. So -the contents of a newly created `Buffer` are unknown and could contain -sensitive data. Use [`buf.fill(0)`][] to initialize a buffer to zeroes. + const buf = new Buffer(5); + console.log(buf); + // + // (octets will be different, every time) + buf.fill(0); + console.log(buf); + // ### new Buffer(str[, encoding]) * `str` String - string to encode. * `encoding` String - encoding to use, Optional. -Allocates a new buffer containing the given `str`. -`encoding` defaults to `'utf8'`. +Creates a new Buffer containing the given JavaScript string `str`. If +provided, the `encoding` parameter identifies the strings character encoding. +If not provided, `encoding` defaults to `'utf8'`. + + const buf1 = new Buffer('this is a tést'); + console.log(buf1.toString()); + // prints: this is a tést + console.log(buf1.toString('ascii')); + // prints: this is a tC)st + + const buf2 = new Buffer('7468697320697320612074c3a97374', 'hex'); + console.log(buf2.toString()); + // prints: this is a tést ### Class Method: Buffer.byteLength(string[, encoding]) @@ -96,13 +235,13 @@ Allocates a new buffer containing the given `str`. * `encoding` String, Optional, Default: 'utf8' * Return: Number -Gives the actual byte length of a string. `encoding` defaults to `'utf8'`. -This is not the same as [`String.prototype.length`][] since that returns the -number of *characters* in a string. +Returns the actual byte length of a string. If not specified, `encoding` +defaults to `'utf8'`. This is not the same as [`String.prototype.length`][] +since that returns the number of *characters* in a string. Example: - str = '\u00bd + \u00bc = \u00be'; + const str = '\u00bd + \u00bc = \u00be'; console.log(`${str}: ${str.length} characters, ` + `${Buffer.byteLength(str, 'utf8')} bytes`); @@ -114,45 +253,36 @@ Example: * `buf1` {Buffer} * `buf2` {Buffer} -The same as [`buf1.compare(buf2)`][]. Useful for sorting an Array of Buffers: +Compares `buf1` to `buf2` typically for the purpose of sorting arrays of +Buffers. This is equivalent is calling `buf1.compare(buf2)`. - var arr = [Buffer('1234'), Buffer('0123')]; + const arr = [Buffer('1234'), Buffer('0123')]; arr.sort(Buffer.compare); ### Class Method: Buffer.concat(list[, totalLength]) * `list` {Array} List of Buffer objects to concat -* `totalLength` {Number} Total length of the buffers in the list when concatenated +* `totalLength` {Number} Total length of the Buffers in the list when concatenated -Returns a buffer which is the result of concatenating all the buffers in -the list together. +Returns a new Buffer which is the result of concatenating all the Buffers in +the `list` together. -If the list has no items, or if the totalLength is 0, then it returns a -zero-length buffer. +If the list has no items, or if the `totalLength` is 0, then a new zero-length +Buffer is returned. -If totalLength is not provided, it is read from the buffers in the list. -However, this adds an additional loop to the function, so it is faster +If `totalLength` is not provided, it is calculated from the Buffers in the +`list`. This, however, adds an additional loop to the function, so it is faster to provide the length explicitly. -Example: build a single buffer from a list of three buffers: +Example: build a single Buffer from a list of three Buffers: - var buf1 = new Buffer(10); - var buf2 = new Buffer(14); - var buf3 = new Buffer(18); - - buf1.fill(0); - buf2.fill(0); - buf3.fill(0); - - var buffers = [buf1, buf2, buf3]; - - var totalLength = 0; - for (var i = 0; i < buffers.length; i++) { - totalLength += buffers[i].length; - } + const buf1 = new Buffer(10).fill(0); + const buf2 = new Buffer(14).fill(0); + const buf3 = new Buffer(18).fill(0); + const totalLength = buf1.length + buf2.length + buf3.length; console.log(totalLength); - var bufA = Buffer.concat(buffers, totalLength); + const bufA = Buffer.concat([buf1, buf2, buf3], totalLength); console.log(bufA); console.log(bufA.length); @@ -165,7 +295,7 @@ Example: build a single buffer from a list of three buffers: * `obj` Object * Return: Boolean -Tests if `obj` is a `Buffer`. +Returns 'true' if `obj` is a Buffer. ### Class Method: Buffer.isEncoding(encoding) @@ -176,45 +306,117 @@ otherwise. ### buffer.entries() -Creates iterator for `[index, byte]` arrays. +Creates and returns an [iterator][] of `[index, byte]` pairs from the Buffer +contents. + + const buf = new Buffer('buffer'); + for (var pair of buf.entries()) { + console.log(pair); + } + // prints: + // [0, 98] + // [1, 117] + // [2, 102] + // [3, 102] + // [4, 101] + // [5, 114] ### buffer.keys() -Creates iterator for buffer keys (indices). +Creates and returns an [iterator][] of Buffer keys (indices). + + const buf = new Buffer('buffer'); + for (var key of buf.keys()) { + console.log(key); + } + // prints: + // 0 + // 1 + // 2 + // 3 + // 4 + // 5 ### buffer.values() -Creates iterator for buffer values (bytes). This function is called automatically -when `buffer` is used in a `for..of` statement. +Creates and returns an [iterator][] for Buffer values (bytes). This function is +called automatically when the Buffer is used in a `for..of` statement. + + const buf = new Buffer('buffer'); + for (var value of buf.values()) { + console.log(value); + } + // prints: + // 98 + // 117 + // 102 + // 102 + // 101 + // 114 + + for (var value of buf) { + console.log(value); + } + // prints: + // 98 + // 117 + // 102 + // 102 + // 101 + // 114 ### buf[index] -Get and set the octet at `index`. The values refer to individual bytes, -so the legal range is between `0x00` and `0xFF` hex or `0` and `255`. +The index operator `[index]` can be used to get and set the octet at position +`index` in the Buffer. The values refer to individual bytes, so the legal value +range is between `0x00` and `0xFF` (hex) or `0` and `255` (decimal). -Example: copy an ASCII string into a buffer, one byte at a time: +Example: copy an ASCII string into a Buffer, one byte at a time: - str = "Node.js"; - buf = new Buffer(str.length); + const str = "Node.js"; + const buf = new Buffer(str.length); for (var i = 0; i < str.length ; i++) { buf[i] = str.charCodeAt(i); } console.log(buf); - - // Node.js + // Prints: Node.js ### buf.compare(otherBuffer) * `otherBuffer` {Buffer} -Returns a number indicating whether `this` comes before, after, or is -the same as the `otherBuffer` in sort order. - +Compares two Buffer instances and returns a number indicating whether `buf` +comes before, after, or is the same as the `otherBuffer` in sort order. +Comparison is based on the actual sequence of bytes in each Buffer. + +* `0` is returned if `otherBuffer` is the same as `buf` +* `1` is returned if `otherBuffer` should come *before* `buf` when sorted. +* `-1` is returned if `otherBuffer` should come *after* `buf` when sorted. + +``` +const buf1 = new Buffer('ABC'); +const buf2 = new Buffer('BCD'); +const buf3 = new Buffer('ABCD'); + +console.log(buf1.compare(buf1)); + // Prints: 0 +console.log(buf1.compare(buf2)); + // Prints: -1 +console.log(buf1.compare(buf3)); + // Prints: 1 +console.log(buf2.compare(buf1)); + // Prints: 1 +console.log(buf2.compare(buf3)); + // Prints: 1 + +[buf1, buf2, buf3].sort(Buffer.compare); + // produces sort order [buf1, buf3, buf2] +``` ### buf.copy(targetBuffer[, targetStart][, sourceStart][, sourceEnd]) @@ -223,7 +425,7 @@ the same as the `otherBuffer` in sort order. * `sourceStart` Number, Optional, Default: 0 * `sourceEnd` Number, Optional, Default: `buffer.length` -Copies data from a region of this buffer to a region in the target buffer even +Copies data from a region of this Buffer to a region in the target Buffer even if the target memory region overlaps with the source. If `undefined`, the `targetStart` and `sourceStart` parameters default to `0` while `sourceEnd` defaults to `buffer.length`. @@ -233,23 +435,21 @@ Returns the number of bytes copied. Example: build two Buffers, then copy `buf1` from byte 16 through byte 19 into `buf2`, starting at the 8th byte in `buf2`. - buf1 = new Buffer(26); - buf2 = new Buffer(26); + const buf1 = new Buffer(26); + const buf2 = new Buffer(26).fill('!'); for (var i = 0 ; i < 26 ; i++) { buf1[i] = i + 97; // 97 is ASCII a - buf2[i] = 33; // ASCII ! } buf1.copy(buf2, 8, 16, 20); console.log(buf2.toString('ascii', 0, 25)); + // Prints: !!!!!!!!qrst!!!!!!!!!!!!! - // !!!!!!!!qrst!!!!!!!!!!!!! - -Example: Build a single buffer, then copy data from one region to an overlapping -region in the same buffer +Example: Build a single Buffer, then copy data from one region to an overlapping +region in the same Buffer - buf = new Buffer(26); + const buf = new Buffer(26); for (var i = 0 ; i < 26 ; i++) { buf[i] = i + 97; // 97 is ASCII a @@ -264,7 +464,17 @@ region in the same buffer * `otherBuffer` {Buffer} -Returns a boolean indicating whether `this` and `otherBuffer` have the same bytes. +Returns a boolean indicating whether `this` and `otherBuffer` have exactly the +same bytes. + + const buf1 = new Buffer('ABC'); + const buf2 = new Buffer('414243', 'hex'); + const buf3 = new Buffer('ABCD'); + + console.log(buf1.equals(buf2)); + // Prints: true + console.log(buf1.equals(buf3)); + // Prints: false ### buf.fill(value[, offset][, end]) @@ -272,12 +482,13 @@ Returns a boolean indicating whether `this` and `otherBuffer` have the same byte * `offset` Number, Optional * `end` Number, Optional -Fills the buffer with the specified value. If the `offset` (defaults to `0`) +Fills the Buffer with the specified value. If the `offset` (defaults to `0`) and `end` (defaults to `buffer.length`) are not given it will fill the entire -buffer. +Buffer. The method returns a reference to the Buffer so calls can be chained. - var b = new Buffer(50); - b.fill('h'); + const b = new Buffer(50).fill('h'); + console.log(b.toString()); + // Prints: hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ### buf.indexOf(value[, byteOffset]) @@ -285,38 +496,86 @@ buffer. * `byteOffset` Number, Optional, Default: 0 * Return: Number -Operates similar to [`Array#indexOf()`][]. Accepts a String, Buffer or Number. -Strings are interpreted as UTF8. Buffers will use the entire buffer. So in order -to compare a partial Buffer use [`Buffer#slice()`][]. Numbers can range from 0 to -255. +Operates similar to [`Array#indexOf()`][] in that it returns either the +starting index position of `value` in Buffer or `-1` if the Buffer does not +contain `value`. The `value` can be a String, Buffer or Number. Strings are +interpreted as UTF8. Buffers will use the entire Buffer (to compare a partial +Buffer use [`Buffer#slice()`][]). Numbers can range from 0 to 255. + + const buf = new Buffer('this is a buffer'); + + buf.indexOf('this'); + // returns 0 + buf.indexOf('is'); + // returns 2 + buf.indexOf(new Buffer('a buffer')); + // returns 8 + buf.indexOf(97); // ascii for 'a' + // returns 8 + buf.indexOf(new Buffer('a buffer example')); + // returns -1 + buf.indexOf(new Buffer('a buffer example').slice(0,8)); + // returns 8 + +### buf.includes(value[, byteOffset][, encoding]) + +* `value` String, Buffer or Number +* `byteOffset` Number, Optional, Default: 0 +* `encoding` String, Optional, Default: 'utf8' + +Operates similar to [Array#includes()][]. The `value` can be a String, Buffer +or Number. Strings are interpreted as UTF8 unless overridden with the +`encoding` argument. Buffers will use the entire Buffer (to compare a partial Buffer use `Buffer#slice()`). Numbers can range from 0 to 255. + +The `byteOffset` indicates the index in `buf` where searching begins. + + const buf = new Buffer('this is a buffer'); + + buf.includes('this'); + // returns true + buf.includes('is'); + // returns true + buf.includes(new Buffer('a buffer')); + // returns true + buf.includes(97); // ascii for 'a' + // returns true + buf.includes(new Buffer('a buffer example')); + // returns false + buf.includes(new Buffer('a buffer example').slice(0,8)); + // returns true + buf.includes('this', 4); + // returns false ### buf.length * Number -The size of the buffer in bytes. Note that this is not necessarily the size -of the contents. `length` refers to the amount of memory allocated for the -buffer object. It does not change when the contents of the buffer are changed. +Returns the amount of memory allocated for the Buffer in number of bytes. Note +that this does not necessarily reflect the amount of usable data within the +Buffer. For instance, in the example below, a Buffer with 1234 bytes is +allocated, but only 11 ASCII bytes are written. - buf = new Buffer(1234); + const buf = new Buffer(1234); console.log(buf.length); + // Prints: 1234 + buf.write('some string', 0, 'ascii'); console.log(buf.length); - - // 1234 - // 1234 + // Prints: 1234 While the `length` property is not immutable, changing the value of `length` can result in undefined and inconsistent behavior. Applications that wish to -modify the length of a buffer should therefore treat `length` as read-only and -use [`buf.slice`][] to create a new buffer. +modify the length of a Buffer should therefore treat `length` as read-only and +use [`buf.slice`][] to create a new Buffer. - buf = new Buffer(10); + const buf = new Buffer(10); buf.write('abcdefghj', 0, 'ascii'); - console.log(buf.length); // 10 + console.log(buf.length); + // Prints: 10 buf = buf.slice(0,5); - console.log(buf.length); // 5 + console.log(buf.length); + // Prints: 5 ### buf.readDoubleBE(offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.readDoubleLE(offset[, noAssert]) @@ -325,28 +584,25 @@ use [`buf.slice`][] to create a new buffer. * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false * Return: Number -Reads a 64-bit double from the buffer at the specified offset with specified -endian format. - -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. - -Example: +Reads a 64-bit double from the Buffer at the specified `offset` with specified +endian format (`readDoubleBE()` returns big endian, `readDoubleLE()` returns +little endian). - var buf = new Buffer(8); +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. - buf[0] = 0x55; - buf[1] = 0x55; - buf[2] = 0x55; - buf[3] = 0x55; - buf[4] = 0x55; - buf[5] = 0x55; - buf[6] = 0xd5; - buf[7] = 0x3f; + const buf = new Buffer([1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8]); - console.log(buf.readDoubleLE(0)); + buf.readDoubleBE(); + // Returns: 8.20788039913184e-304 + buf.readDoubleLE(); + // Returns: 5.447603722011605e-270 + buf.readDoubleLE(1); + // throws RangeError: Index out of range - // 0.3333333333333333 + buf.readDoubleLE(1, true); // Warning: reads passed end of buffer! + // Segmentation fault! don't do this! ### buf.readFloatBE(offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.readFloatLE(offset[, noAssert]) @@ -355,24 +611,25 @@ Example: * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false * Return: Number -Reads a 32-bit float from the buffer at the specified offset with specified -endian format. +Reads a 32-bit float from the Buffer at the specified `offset` with specified +endian format (`readFloatBE()` returns big endian, `readFloatLE()` returns +little endian). -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. -Example: - - var buf = new Buffer(4); + const buf = new Buffer([1,2,3,4]); - buf[0] = 0x00; - buf[1] = 0x00; - buf[2] = 0x80; - buf[3] = 0x3f; + buf.readFloatBE(); + // Returns: 2.387939260590663e-38 + buf.readFloatLE(); + // Returns: 1.539989614439558e-36 + buf.readFloatLE(1); + // throws RangeError: Index out of range - console.log(buf.readFloatLE(0)); - - // 0x01 + buf.readFloatLE(1, true); // Warning: reads passed end of buffer! + // Segmentation fault! don't do this! ### buf.readInt8(offset[, noAssert]) @@ -380,13 +637,20 @@ Example: * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false * Return: Number -Reads a signed 8-bit integer from the buffer at the specified offset. +Reads a signed 8-bit integer from the Buffer at the specified `offset`. + +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. +Integers read from the Buffer are interpreted as two's complement signed values. -Works as `buffer.readUInt8`, except buffer contents are treated as two's -complement signed values. + const buf = new Buffer([1,-2,3,4]); + + buf.readInt8(0); + // returns 1 + buf.readInt8(1); + // returns -2 ### buf.readInt16BE(offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.readInt16LE(offset[, noAssert]) @@ -395,14 +659,22 @@ complement signed values. * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false * Return: Number -Reads a signed 16-bit integer from the buffer at the specified offset with -specified endian format. +Reads a signed 16-bit integer from the Buffer at the specified `offset` with +the specified endian format (`readInt16BE()` returns big endian, +`readInt16LE()` returns little endian). + +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. +Integers read from the Buffer are interpreted as two's complement signed values. -Works as `buffer.readUInt16*`, except buffer contents are treated as two's -complement signed values. + const buf = new Buffer([1,-2,3,4]); + + buf.readInt16BE(); + // returns 510 + buf.readInt16LE(1); + // returns -511 ### buf.readInt32BE(offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.readInt32LE(offset[, noAssert]) @@ -411,14 +683,22 @@ complement signed values. * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false * Return: Number -Reads a signed 32-bit integer from the buffer at the specified offset with -specified endian format. +Reads a signed 32-bit integer from the Buffer at the specified `offset` with +the specified endian format (`readInt32BE()` returns big endian, +`readInt32LE()` returns little endian). + +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. +Integers read from the Buffer are interpreted as two's complement signed values. -Works as `buffer.readUInt32*`, except buffer contents are treated as two's -complement signed values. + const buf = new Buffer([1,-2,3,4]); + + buf.readInt32BE(); + // returns 33424132 + buf.readInt32LE(1); + // returns 67370497 ### buf.readIntBE(offset, byteLength[, noAssert]) ### buf.readIntLE(offset, byteLength[, noAssert]) @@ -428,17 +708,22 @@ complement signed values. * `noAssert` {Boolean} Default: false * Return: {Number} -A generalized version of all numeric read methods. Supports up to 48 bits of -accuracy. For example: +Reads `byteLength` number of bytes from the Buffer at the specified `offset` +and interprets the result as a two's complement signed value. Supports up to 48 +bits of accuracy. For example: + + const buf = new Buffer(6); + buf.writeUInt16LE(0x90ab, 0); + buf.writeUInt32LE(0x12345678, 2); + buf.readIntLE(0, 6).toString(16); // Specify 6 bytes (48 bits) + // Returns: '1234567890ab' - var b = new Buffer(6); - b.writeUInt16LE(0x90ab, 0); - b.writeUInt32LE(0x12345678, 2); - b.readUIntLE(0, 6).toString(16); // Specify 6 bytes (48 bits) - // output: '1234567890ab' + buf.readIntBE(0, 6).toString(16); + // Returns: -546f87a9cbee -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. ### buf.readUInt8(offset[, noAssert]) @@ -446,28 +731,18 @@ may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false * Return: Number -Reads an unsigned 8-bit integer from the buffer at the specified offset. - -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. - -Example: - - var buf = new Buffer(4); +Reads an unsigned 8-bit integer from the Buffer at the specified `offset`. - buf[0] = 0x3; - buf[1] = 0x4; - buf[2] = 0x23; - buf[3] = 0x42; +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. - for (ii = 0; ii < buf.length; ii++) { - console.log(buf.readUInt8(ii)); - } + const buf = new Buffer([1,-2,3,4]); - // 0x3 - // 0x4 - // 0x23 - // 0x42 + buf.readUInt8(0); + // returns 1 + buf.readUInt8(1); + // returns 254 ### buf.readUInt16BE(offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.readUInt16LE(offset[, noAssert]) @@ -476,34 +751,30 @@ Example: * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false * Return: Number -Reads an unsigned 16-bit integer from the buffer at the specified offset with -specified endian format. +Reads an unsigned 16-bit integer from the Buffer at the specified `offset` with +specified endian format (`readInt32BE()` returns big endian, +`readInt32LE()` returns little endian). -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. Example: - var buf = new Buffer(4); - - buf[0] = 0x3; - buf[1] = 0x4; - buf[2] = 0x23; - buf[3] = 0x42; - - console.log(buf.readUInt16BE(0)); - console.log(buf.readUInt16LE(0)); - console.log(buf.readUInt16BE(1)); - console.log(buf.readUInt16LE(1)); - console.log(buf.readUInt16BE(2)); - console.log(buf.readUInt16LE(2)); - - // 0x0304 - // 0x0403 - // 0x0423 - // 0x2304 - // 0x2342 - // 0x4223 + const buf = new Buffer([0x3, 0x4, 0x23, 0x42]); + + buf.readUInt16BE(0); + // Returns: 0x0304 + buf.readUInt16LE(0); + // Returns: 0x0403 + buf.readUInt16BE(1); + // Returns: 0x0423 + buf.readUInt16LE(1); + // Returns: 0x2304 + buf.readUInt16BE(2); + // Returns: 0x2342 + buf.readUInt16LE(2); + // Returns: 0x4223 ### buf.readUInt32BE(offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.readUInt32LE(offset[, noAssert]) @@ -512,26 +783,22 @@ Example: * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false * Return: Number -Reads an unsigned 32-bit integer from the buffer at the specified offset with -specified endian format. +Reads an unsigned 32-bit integer from the Buffer at the specified `offset` with +specified endian format (`readInt32BE()` returns big endian, +`readInt32LE()` returns little endian). -Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `offset`. This means that `offset` -may be beyond the end of the buffer. Defaults to `false`. +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. Example: - var buf = new Buffer(4); + const buf = new Buffer([0x3, 0x4, 0x23, 0x42]); - buf[0] = 0x3; - buf[1] = 0x4; - buf[2] = 0x23; - buf[3] = 0x42; - - console.log(buf.readUInt32BE(0)); + buf.readUInt32BE(0); + // Returns: 0x03042342 console.log(buf.readUInt32LE(0)); - - // 0x03042342 - // 0x42230403 + // Returns: 0x42230403 ### buf.readUIntBE(offset, byteLength[, noAssert]) ### buf.readUIntLE(offset, byteLength[, noAssert]) @@ -541,42 +808,61 @@ Example: * `noAssert` {Boolean} Default: false * Return: {Number} -A generalized version of all numeric read methods. Supports up to 48 bits of -accuracy. For example: +Reads `byteLength` number of bytes from the Buffer at the specified `offset` +and interprets the result as an unsigned integer. Supports up to 48 +bits of accuracy. For example: - var b = new Buffer(6); - b.writeUInt16LE(0x90ab, 0); - b.writeUInt32LE(0x12345678, 2); - b.readUIntLE(0, 6).toString(16); // Specify 6 bytes (48 bits) - // output: '1234567890ab' + const buf = new Buffer(6); + buf.writeUInt16LE(0x90ab, 0); + buf.writeUInt32LE(0x12345678, 2); + buf.readUIntLE(0, 6).toString(16); // Specify 6 bytes (48 bits) + // Returns: '1234567890ab' + + buf.readUIntBE(0, 6).toString(16); + // Returns: ab9078563412 + +Setting `noAssert` to `true` skips validation of the `offset`. This allows the +`offset` to be beyond the end of the Buffer. When not specified, `noAssert` +defaults to `false`. ### buf.slice([start[, end]]) * `start` Number, Optional, Default: 0 * `end` Number, Optional, Default: `buffer.length` -Returns a new buffer which references the same memory as the old, but offset +Returns a new Buffer that references the same memory as the original, but offset and cropped by the `start` (defaults to `0`) and `end` (defaults to -`buffer.length`) indexes. Negative indexes start from the end of the buffer. +`buffer.length`) indexes. -**Modifying the new buffer slice will modify memory in the original buffer!** +**Note that modifying the new Buffer slice will modify the memory in the original Buffer because the allocated memory of the two objects overlap.** Example: build a Buffer with the ASCII alphabet, take a slice, then modify one byte from the original Buffer. - var buf1 = new Buffer(26); + const buf1 = new Buffer(26); for (var i = 0 ; i < 26 ; i++) { buf1[i] = i + 97; // 97 is ASCII a } - var buf2 = buf1.slice(0, 3); - console.log(buf2.toString('ascii', 0, buf2.length)); + const buf2 = buf1.slice(0, 3); + buf2.toString('ascii', 0, buf2.length); + // Returns: 'abc' buf1[0] = 33; - console.log(buf2.toString('ascii', 0, buf2.length)); + buf2.toString('ascii', 0, buf2.length); + // Returns : '!bc' + +Specifying negative indexes causes the slice to be generated relative to the +end of the Buffer rather than the beginning. + + const buf = new Buffer('buffer'); - // abc - // !bc + buf.slice(-6, -1).toString(); + // Returns 'buffe', equivalent to buf.slice(0, 5) + buf.slice(-6, -2).toString(); + // Returns 'buff', equivalent to buf.slice(0, 4) + buf.slice(-5, -2).toString(); + // Returns 'uff', equivalent to buf.slice(1, 4) ### buf.toString([encoding][, start][, end]) @@ -584,22 +870,23 @@ byte from the original Buffer. * `start` Number, Optional, Default: 0 * `end` Number, Optional, Default: `buffer.length` -Decodes and returns a string from buffer data encoded using the specified -character set encoding. If `encoding` is `undefined` or `null`, then `encoding` -defaults to `'utf8'`. The `start` and `end` parameters default to `0` and -`buffer.length` when `undefined`. +Decodes and returns a string from the Buffer data using the specified +character set `encoding`. If `encoding` is `undefined` or `null`, then +`encoding` defaults to `'utf8'`. The `start` and `end` parameters default to +`0` and `buffer.length` when `undefined`. - buf = new Buffer(26); + const buf = new Buffer(26); for (var i = 0 ; i < 26 ; i++) { buf[i] = i + 97; // 97 is ASCII a } - buf.toString('ascii'); // outputs: abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz - buf.toString('ascii',0,5); // outputs: abcde - buf.toString('utf8',0,5); // outputs: abcde - buf.toString(undefined,0,5); // encoding defaults to 'utf8', outputs abcde - -See `buf.write()` example, below. - + buf.toString('ascii'); + // Returns: 'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz' + buf.toString('ascii',0,5); + // Returns: 'abcde' + buf.toString('utf8',0,5); + // Returns: 'abcde' + buf.toString(undefined,0,5); + // Returns: 'abcde', encoding defaults to 'utf8' ### buf.toJSON() @@ -608,20 +895,20 @@ implicitly calls this function when stringifying a Buffer instance. Example: - var buf = new Buffer('test'); - var json = JSON.stringify(buf); + const buf = new Buffer('test'); + const json = JSON.stringify(buf); console.log(json); - // '{"type":"Buffer","data":[116,101,115,116]}' + // Prints: '{"type":"Buffer","data":[116,101,115,116]}' - var copy = JSON.parse(json, function(key, value) { + const copy = JSON.parse(json, (key, value) => { return value && value.type === 'Buffer' ? new Buffer(value.data) : value; }); - console.log(copy); - // + console.log(copy.toString()); + // Prints: 'test' ### buf.write(string[, offset][, length][, encoding]) @@ -630,16 +917,18 @@ Example: * `length` Number, Optional, Default: `buffer.length - offset` * `encoding` String, Optional, Default: 'utf8' -Writes `string` to the buffer at `offset` using the given encoding. -`offset` defaults to `0`, `encoding` defaults to `'utf8'`. `length` is -the number of bytes to write. Returns number of octets written. If `buffer` did -not contain enough space to fit the entire string, it will write a partial -amount of the string. `length` defaults to `buffer.length - offset`. -The method will not write partial characters. +Writes `string` to the Buffer at `offset` using the given `encoding`. +When undefined, `offset` defaults to `0`, and `encoding` defaults to `'utf8'`. +The `length` parameter is the number of bytes to write, when undefined `length` +defaults to `buffer.length - offset`. If the Buffer did not contain enough +space to fit the entire string, only a partial amount of the string will be +written however, the will not write only partially encoded characters. The +return value indicates the number of octets written. - buf = new Buffer(256); - len = buf.write('\u00bd + \u00bc = \u00be', 0); + const buf = new Buffer(256); + const len = buf.write('\u00bd + \u00bc = \u00be', 0); console.log(`${len} bytes: ${buf.toString('utf8', 0, len)}`); + // Prints: 12 bytes: ½ + ¼ = ¾ ### buf.writeDoubleBE(value, offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.writeDoubleLE(value, offset[, noAssert]) @@ -648,27 +937,27 @@ The method will not write partial characters. * `offset` Number * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian -format. `value` must be a valid 64-bit double. +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset` with specified endian +format (`writeDoubleBE()` writes big endian, `writeDoubleLE()` writes little +endian). The `value` argument must be a valid 64-bit double. Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be -beyond the end of the buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. Example: - var buf = new Buffer(8); + const buf = new Buffer(8); buf.writeDoubleBE(0xdeadbeefcafebabe, 0); console.log(buf); + // Prints: buf.writeDoubleLE(0xdeadbeefcafebabe, 0); console.log(buf); - - // - // + // Prints: ### buf.writeFloatBE(value, offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.writeFloatLE(value, offset[, noAssert]) @@ -677,27 +966,28 @@ Example: * `offset` Number * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian -format. Behavior is unspecified if `value` is not a 32-bit float. +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset` with specified endian +format (`writeFloatBE()` writes big endian, `writeFloatLE()` writes little +endian). Behavior is unspecified if `value` is anything other than a 32-bit +float. Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be -beyond the end of the buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. Example: - var buf = new Buffer(4); + const buf = new Buffer(4); buf.writeFloatBE(0xcafebabe, 0); console.log(buf); + // Prints: buf.writeFloatLE(0xcafebabe, 0); console.log(buf); - - // - // + // Prints: ### buf.writeInt8(value, offset[, noAssert]) @@ -705,16 +995,21 @@ Example: * `offset` Number * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset. `value` must be a +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset`. The `value` must be a valid signed 8-bit integer. Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be -beyond the end of the buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. -Works as `buffer.writeUInt8`, except value is written out as a two's complement -signed integer into `buffer`. +The `value` is interpreted and written as a two's complement signed integer. + + const buf = new Buffer(2); + buf.writeInt8(2, 0); + buf.writeInt8(-2, 1); + console.log(buf); + // Prints: ### buf.writeInt16BE(value, offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.writeInt16LE(value, offset[, noAssert]) @@ -723,16 +1018,22 @@ signed integer into `buffer`. * `offset` Number * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian -format. `value` must be a valid signed 16-bit integer. +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset` with specified endian +format (`writeInt16BE()` writes big endian, `writeInt16LE()` writes little +endian). The `value` must be a valid signed 16-bit integer. Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be -beyond the end of the buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. -Works as `buffer.writeUInt16*`, except value is written out as a two's -complement signed integer into `buffer`. +The `value` is interpreted and written as a two's complement signed integer. + + const buf = new Buffer(4); + buf.writeInt16BE(0x0102,0); + buf.writeInt16LE(0x0304,2); + console.log(buf); + // Prints: ### buf.writeInt32BE(value, offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.writeInt32LE(value, offset[, noAssert]) @@ -741,35 +1042,49 @@ complement signed integer into `buffer`. * `offset` Number * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian -format. `value` must be a valid signed 32-bit integer. +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset` with specified endian +format (`writeInt32BE()` writes big endian, `writeInt32LE()` writes little +endian). The `value` must be a valid signed 32-bit integer. Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be -beyond the end of the buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. -Works as `buffer.writeUInt32*`, except value is written out as a two's -complement signed integer into `buffer`. +The `value` is interpreted and written as a two's complement signed integer. + + const buf = new Buffer(8); + buf.writeInt32BE(0x01020304,0); + buf.writeInt32LE(0x05060708,4); + console.log(buf); + // Prints: ### buf.writeIntBE(value, offset, byteLength[, noAssert]) ### buf.writeIntLE(value, offset, byteLength[, noAssert]) -* `value` {Number} Bytes to be written to buffer +* `value` {Number} Bytes to be written to Buffer * `offset` {Number} `0 <= offset <= buf.length` * `byteLength` {Number} `0 < byteLength <= 6` * `noAssert` {Boolean} Default: false * Return: {Number} -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified `offset` and `byteLength`. +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset` and `byteLength`. Supports up to 48 bits of accuracy. For example: - var b = new Buffer(6); - b.writeUIntBE(0x1234567890ab, 0, 6); - // + const buf1 = new Buffer(6); + buf1.writeUIntBE(0x1234567890ab, 0, 6); + console.log(buf1); + // Prints: -Set `noAssert` to `true` to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. Defaults -to `false`. + const buf2 = new Buffer(6); + buf2.writeUIntLE(0x1234567890ab, 0, 6); + console.log(buf2); + // Prints: + +Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means +that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. ### buf.writeUInt8(value, offset[, noAssert]) @@ -777,25 +1092,24 @@ to `false`. * `offset` Number * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset. `value` must be a +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset`. The `value` must be a valid unsigned 8-bit integer. Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be -beyond the end of the buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. Example: - var buf = new Buffer(4); + const buf = new Buffer(4); buf.writeUInt8(0x3, 0); buf.writeUInt8(0x4, 1); buf.writeUInt8(0x23, 2); buf.writeUInt8(0x42, 3); console.log(buf); - - // + // Prints: ### buf.writeUInt16BE(value, offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.writeUInt16LE(value, offset[, noAssert]) @@ -804,29 +1118,29 @@ Example: * `offset` Number * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian -format. `value` must be a valid unsigned 16-bit integer. +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset` with specified endian +format (`writeUInt16BE()` writes big endian, `writeUInt16LE()` writes little +endian). The `value` must be a valid unsigned 16-bit integer. Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be -beyond the end of the buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. Example: - var buf = new Buffer(4); + const buf = new Buffer(4); buf.writeUInt16BE(0xdead, 0); buf.writeUInt16BE(0xbeef, 2); console.log(buf); + // Prints: buf.writeUInt16LE(0xdead, 0); buf.writeUInt16LE(0xbeef, 2); console.log(buf); - - // - // + // Prints: ### buf.writeUInt32BE(value, offset[, noAssert]) ### buf.writeUInt32LE(value, offset[, noAssert]) @@ -835,73 +1149,60 @@ Example: * `offset` Number * `noAssert` Boolean, Optional, Default: false -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified offset with specified endian -format. `value` must be a valid unsigned 32-bit integer. +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset` with specified endian +format (`writeUInt32BE()` writes big endian, `writeUInt32LE()` writes little +endian). The `value` must be a valid unsigned 32-bit integer. Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be -beyond the end of the buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. Example: - var buf = new Buffer(4); + const buf = new Buffer(4); buf.writeUInt32BE(0xfeedface, 0); console.log(buf); + // Prints: buf.writeUInt32LE(0xfeedface, 0); console.log(buf); - - // - // + // Prints: ### buf.writeUIntBE(value, offset, byteLength[, noAssert]) ### buf.writeUIntLE(value, offset, byteLength[, noAssert]) -* `value` {Number} Bytes to be written to buffer +* `value` {Number} Bytes to be written to Buffer * `offset` {Number} `0 <= offset <= buf.length` * `byteLength` {Number} `0 < byteLength <= 6` * `noAssert` {Boolean} Default: false * Return: {Number} -Writes `value` to the buffer at the specified `offset` and `byteLength`. +Writes `value` to the Buffer at the specified `offset` and `byteLength`. Supports up to 48 bits of accuracy. For example: - var b = new Buffer(6); - b.writeUIntBE(0x1234567890ab, 0, 6); - // + const buf = new Buffer(6); + buf.writeUIntBE(0x1234567890ab, 0, 6); + console.log(buf); + // Prints: -Set `noAssert` to `true` to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. Defaults -to `false`. +Set `noAssert` to true to skip validation of `value` and `offset`. This means +that `value` may be too large for the specific function and `offset` may be +beyond the end of the Buffer leading to the values being silently dropped. This +should not be used unless you are certain of correctness. Defaults to `false`. ## buffer.INSPECT_MAX_BYTES * Number, Default: 50 -How many bytes will be returned when `buffer.inspect()` is called. This can -be overridden by user modules. See [`util.inspect()`][] for more details on -`buffer.inspect()` behavior. - -Note that this is a property on the buffer module returned by -`require('buffer')`, not on the Buffer global or a buffer instance. - -## ES6 iteration - -Buffers can be iterated over using `for..of` syntax: +Returns the maximum number of bytes that will be returned when +`buffer.inspect()` is called. This can be overridden by user modules. See +[`util.inspect()`][] for more details on `buffer.inspect()` behavior. - var buf = new Buffer([1, 2, 3]); - - for (var b of buf) - console.log(b) - - // 1 - // 2 - // 3 - -Additionally, the `buffer.values()`, `buffer.keys()`, and `buffer.entries()` -methods can be used to create iterators. +Note that this is a property on the `buffer` module as returned by +`require('buffer')`, not on the Buffer global or a Buffer instance. ## Class: SlowBuffer @@ -914,12 +1215,12 @@ usage since v8 does not need to track and cleanup as many `Persistent` objects. In the case where a developer may need to retain a small chunk of memory from a pool for an indeterminate amount of time, it may be appropriate to create an -un-pooled Buffer instance using SlowBuffer and copy out the relevant bits. +un-pooled Buffer instance using `SlowBuffer` then copy out the relevant bits. // need to keep around a few small chunks of memory - var store = []; + const store = []; - socket.on('readable', function() { + socket.on('readable', () => { var data = socket.read(); // allocate for retained data var sb = new SlowBuffer(10); @@ -928,10 +1229,12 @@ un-pooled Buffer instance using SlowBuffer and copy out the relevant bits. store.push(sb); }); -This should be used only as a last resort *after* a developer has observed -undue memory retention in their applications. +Use of `SlowBuffer` should be used only as a last resort *after* a developer +has observed undue memory retention in their applications. +[iterator]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Iteration_protocols [`Array#indexOf()`]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Array/indexOf +[Array#includes()]: https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Array/includes [`buf.fill(0)`]: #buffer_buf_fill_value_offset_end [`buf.slice`]: #buffer_buf_slice_start_end [`buf1.compare(buf2)`]: #buffer_buf_compare_otherbuffer