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Designing a Rate Limiter
What is rate limiting ?
Rate limiting is a technique used to control the rate at which a user or a system can access or consume a particular service or resource. It is commonly implemented in computer networks, APIs, and web services to prevent abuse, protect against Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, and ensure fair usage among multiple users.
Rate limiting typically involves setting limits on the number of requests or the amount of data that can be sent or received within a specified period (e.g., per second, per minute, or per day). When a user or system exceeds the set limit, they are usually blocked or throttled until the next period begins or until their usage falls below the threshold.
There are several methods for implementing rate limiting, such as token bucket, leaky bucket, and fixed window algorithms. The choice of a specific method depends on the use case, system design, and desired balance between resource usage and user experience.
Adding a rate limiter to a Node.js/Express server
To add a rate limiter to your Node.js/Express server, you can use the express-rate-limit middleware. Follow these steps to set it up:
First, install the express-rate-limit package using npm or yarn:
