get-stream

> Get a stream as a string, buffer, or array

# Install

$ npm install get-stream

# Usage

const fs = require('fs');
const getStream = require('get-stream');
(async () => {
const stream = fs.createReadStream('unicorn.txt');
console.log(await getStream(stream));
/*
,,))))))));,
__)))))))))))))),
\|/ -\‍(((((''''((((((((.
-*-==//////(('' . `)))))),
/|\ ))| o ;-. '((((( ,(,
( `| / ) ;))))' ,_))^;(~
| | | ,))((((_ _____------~~~-. %,;(;(>';'~
o_); ; )))(((` ~---~ `:: \ %%~~)(v;(`('~
; ''''```` `: `:::|\,__,%% );`'; ~
| _ ) / `:|`----' `-'
______/\/~ | / /
/~;;.____/;;' / ___--,-( `;;;/
/ // _;______;'------~~~~~ /;;/\ /
// | | / ; \;;,\
(<_ | ; /',/-----' _>
\_| ||_ //~;~~~~~~~~~
`\_| (,~~
\~\
~~
*/
})();

# API

The methods returns a promise that resolves when the `end` event fires on the stream, indicating that there is no more data to be read. The stream is switched to flowing mode.

## getStream(stream, [options])

Get the `stream` as a string.

### options

Type: `Object`

#### encoding

Type: `string`
Default: `utf8`

Encoding of the incoming stream.

#### maxBuffer

Type: `number`
Default: `Infinity`

Maximum length of the returned string. If it exceeds this value before the stream ends, the promise will be rejected with a `getStream.MaxBufferError` error.

## getStream.buffer(stream, [options])

Get the `stream` as a buffer.

It honors the `maxBuffer` option as above, but it refers to byte length rather than string length.

## getStream.array(stream, [options])

Get the `stream` as an array of values.

It honors both the `maxBuffer` and `encoding` options. The behavior changes slightly based on the encoding chosen:

- When `encoding` is unset, it assumes an object mode stream and collects values emitted from `stream` unmodified. In this case `maxBuffer` refers to the number of items in the array (not the sum of their sizes).
- When `encoding` is set to `buffer`, it collects an array of buffers. `maxBuffer` refers to the summed byte lengths of every buffer in the array.
- When `encoding` is set to anything else, it collects an array of strings. `maxBuffer` refers to the summed character lengths of every string in the array.

# Errors

If the input stream emits an `error` event, the promise will be rejected with the error. The buffered data will be attached to the `bufferedData` property of the error.

(async () => {
try {
await getStream(streamThatErrorsAtTheEnd('unicorn'));
} catch (error) {
console.log(error.bufferedData);
//=> 'unicorn'
}
})()

# FAQ

## How is this different from <a href="https://github.com/maxogden/concat-stream"><tt>concat-stream</tt></a>?

This module accepts a stream instead of being one and returns a promise instead of using a callback. The API is simpler and it only supports returning a string, buffer, or array. It doesn't have a fragile type inference. You explicitly choose what you want. And it doesn't depend on the huge `readable-stream` package.

# Related

- get-stdin - Get stdin as a string or buffer

# License

MIT © Sindre Sorhus