Understanding the return Statement in Node.js Router with Express

---

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---

The Problem: What's with the return Statement?

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

At first glance, it might be puzzling: why use a return here when the res object is being used to send back a response directly to the user? And what purpose does returning from the function serve when the API is meant to be invoked by the user?

The Solution: Understanding the Middleware Structure

1. Route Handlers as Middleware

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

3. Why Should You Use return?

Using return before sending the response provides clarity. It indicates to anyone reading the code that after this point, the execution will cease. Here are some reasons for utilizing return in your middleware:

Prevent Unintended Behavior: If you have multiple response paths based on conditions, returning stops unwanted code execution that could lead to errors or unexpected results.

Enhance Readability: Future developers (or even you, months later!) will understand immediately that this code branch ends here, improving code maintainability.

Conclusion