Node.js Child Process Module

Here’s a comprehensive guide on the Node.js Child Process Module, including its purpose, methods, examples, and best practices.

👶 Node.js Child Process Module

The child_process module allows Node.js to spawn and control child processes, enabling you to run other programs, execute shell commands, or create parallel tasks outside the main Node.js event loop.

This is useful for CPU-intensive tasks, executing scripts, or system commands.

1️⃣ Importing the Module


2️⃣ Methods of child_process

2.1 exec()

Executes a shell command and buffers the output.


 

✅ Use case: simple shell commands with small output.
❌ Not recommended for large outputs (buffers entire output in memory).

2.2 execFile()

Runs a file directly without a shell, safer than exec.


 

✅ Use case: run scripts or binaries with arguments.
❌ Less flexible than exec for shell commands.

2.3 spawn()

Launches a new process with a streamed output, ideal for large data.


 

✅ Use case: streaming large output, long-running processes.
✅ More memory-efficient than exec.

2.4 fork()

Specialized method to spawn a new Node.js process and establish IPC (inter-process communication).


 

✅ Use case: parallel Node.js processes, CPU-intensive tasks, communication between processes.

3️⃣ Comparison of Methods

Method Description Use Case
exec() Executes shell command, buffers output Simple shell commands
execFile() Executes file directly, safer than exec Scripts or binaries
spawn() Launches process, streams output Large output, long-running tasks
fork() Spawn Node.js process with IPC Parallel Node.js tasks, CPU-bound work

4️⃣ Handling Errors & Exit Codes

  • Always handle error and stderr

  • Listen for exit or close events

5️⃣ Practical Examples

5.1 Running a Python Script


 

5.2 Parallel Computation Using fork


 

6️⃣ Best Practices

  1. Use spawn() or fork() for large output / CPU-heavy tasks

  2. Avoid exec() for untrusted input (risk of shell injection)

  3. Always handle error, stderr, and exit events

  4. Use IPC (fork) for communication between Node.js processes

  5. Limit number of child processes to avoid overloading CPU

7️⃣ Summary

  • child_process allows running external commands or parallel Node.js processes

  • Methods:

    • exec() – buffered output, shell command

    • execFile() – run executable directly

    • spawn() – stream output, memory-efficient

    • fork() – Node.js process + IPC

  • Useful for CPU-intensive tasks, parallelization, and automation scripts

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