Next.js
/Intermediate
API Error Handling
Definition
The practice of catching errors within Route Handlers and returning properly formatted JSON error messages and HTTP status codes, rather than crashing the server.
Explain Like I'm New
If your database goes offline, your API shouldn't just explode and send a terrifying HTML stack trace back to the mobile app consuming it. It should catch the error safely and return a polite `500 Internal Server Error` JSON message.
Real World Example
Using `try/catch` blocks inside a Route Handler. If the user tries to create an account with an email that already exists, the database throws an error. You catch it and return `409 Conflict: Email already in use`.
Common Use Cases
- •Building robust APIs
- •Developer experience
Interactive Example
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Interview Questions
basic
- What JavaScript block is essential for catching unexpected database errors in an API route?
intermediate
- What HTTP status code should you return if a client sends invalid data (like a malformed email address)?