Node.js Buffer.readBigInt64BE() Method

In this article, we will discuss Node.js Buffer.readBigInt64BE() Method. Node.js is an important tool where developers can use JavaScript on the server side. Among these, the Buffer module plays a crucial role in the manipulation of binary data in memory. It is particularly useful when working with file I/O and Network I/O or any other operation that involves working with raw binary. The Buffer.readBigInt64BE() is a special function of this module aimed at reading a 64-bit signed integer from a buffer in big-endian form and returning this number as a BigInt.

Understanding Buffers in Node.js

Buffers in Node.js are used to manipulate raw binary data. While JavaScript strings work with just UTF-16 encoded data, buffers handle binary data and provide more control over memory and data representation. Buffers are objects of the Buffer class created in Node.js, and they can be created using constructors, array, string, and memory allocation methods.

What is the Buffer.readBigInt64BE() Method?

The Buffer.readBigInt64BE() method is used for reading a 64-bit signed integer from a Buffer instance using big-endian byte value. The big-endian is a technique of storing the most significant byte at the smallest address in memory.

Syntax:

It has the following syntax:

Parameters:

• Offset (optional): The number of bytes to skip before starting to read, also called the offset. Its default value is 0.
• Offset (integer, optional): It is the position in the buffer where the reading is to start from. It is an optional parameter, and if not provided, it will be evaluated to 0.

Return Value:

The method returns a BigInt of the 64-bit signed integer that has been read from the buffer..

Example:

Let us take an example demonstrating the use of the Buffer.readBigInt64BE() method in Node.js:

Output:

 Big Integer:- 4294967295 

Explanation:

The code shows how we can use the Buffer.readBigInt64BE() method in Node.js to read a 64-bit signed integer from a buffer in big-endian. A buffer is created with 8 bytes using Buffer. from(ByteArray(<any>),int[]):Array[int]<|it=from(ByteArray(<any>)).

The readBigInt64BE(0) method is used to read the 64-bit integer from the first byte considering the bytes in the big-endian format. The resulting value, stored in val, is logged to the console as "Big Integer: "-4294967297n". This method is helpful when working with bitwise operations because it enables efficient handling of binary data in Node.js applications.

Practical Use Case

Several practical use cases of the Buffer.readBigInt64BE() method are as follows:

• Network Protocols
  In networking, binary protocols mostly involve work, such as manipulating large integers for use in timestamps, sequence numbers, or id. By using the functions like Buffer.readBigInt64BE(), we can accurately parse these values from data packets. For example, consider a protocol that sends a timestamp as a Posix time in the form of a 64-bit integer. Moreover, we can read the timestamp correctly and apply one of the mentioned methods to convert it into the format that should be usable in the application.
• File Formats
  Numerous binary file formats, including database files and graphic formats, use 64-bit integers to store metadata or data. For instance, a database file might use a 64-bit integer to store a large record identifier or a timestamp. For example, with the help of the Buffer.readBigInt64BE() function, these integers can be recognized for further processing or analysis..
• Inter-process Communication (IPC)
  If we are working with processes that use shared memory or other binary IPC schemes, we may require the handling of 64-bit integer values. For example, a logging process might store a 64-bit timestamp in a shared buffer. Another process can use of Buffer.readBigInt64BE() function to read this timestamp correctly.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Buffer.readBigInt64BE() function is a globally useful method for reading 64-bit signed numbers from buffers in Node.js, which are in the big-endian format. It is especially used in situations where network protocols, binary file formats, or Inter-Process Communication are involved and exact large integer computation is necessary. Through this approach, developers can effectively control and analyze base two data in the applications they are developing. Thus, it is very helpful in creating quality end-products. It only highlights the potential of the method by utilizing more recent additions to the language, such as BigInt and async/await, making it highly useful for every Node.js application.