Answer
Backpressure occurs when a data source produces data faster than the consumer can handle. Streams manage this using internal buffers and methods like pause() and resume().
Quick Answer
Backpressure happens when the consumer can't keep up with the producer. In Node streams, if you pipe a fast readable to a slow writable, the data buffers in memory. The readable should pause (readable.pause()) when the writable buffer fills up. Node streams handle this automatically when you use pipe() — otherwise you must manage it manually.
S
SugharaIQ Editorial Team
Verified Answer
This answer has been peer-reviewed by industry experts holding senior engineering roles to ensure technical accuracy and relevance for modern interview standards.
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Source: SugharaIQ