Hono js is a powerful and fast web framework designed for building HTTP applications in JavaScript and TypeScript.
Table of Contents
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Hono js, from its installation to advanced usage, complete with examples to help you master this modern framework.
What is Hono JS
Hono – means flame in Japanese – is a small, simple, and ultrafast web framework built on Web Standards. It works on any JavaScript runtime: Cloudflare Workers, Fastly Compute, Deno, Bun, Vercel, Netlify, AWS Lambda, Lambda@Edge, and Node.js.
Built with performance in mind, Hono.js leverages modern JavaScript features and excels in speed, often being compared with other popular frameworks like Express.js, Fastify, and Koa.
Using Hono, It is easy to create publishable web applications with Deno, Bun, and Cloudflare Workers.
Hono js Features:
Hono.js stands out for several reasons:
- Speed and Efficiency: Its high-performance routing ensures minimal latency, making it suitable for high-traffic applications.
- Lightweight Framework: With a small footprint, Hono js is quick to install and easy to use.
- TypeScript Compatibility: Strong typing support ensures fewer runtime errors and better code maintainability.
- Flexible Middleware Architecture: Hono js offers a modular middleware system, enabling developers to create reusable and maintainable components.
- Multi-Environment Support: Compatible with Node.js, Deno, Bun, and more, Hono js offers flexibility across various JavaScript runtimes.
Installation
Setting up Hono.js is straightforward. Follow these steps to create your first application.
Prerequisites
Ensure you have the following tools installed:
- Node.js: Install the latest LTS version from Node.js official website.
- npm or yarn: A package manager to manage dependencies.
Installation
Run one of the following commands to install Hono.js:
# Using npm npm create hono@latest hono-app
Then you will be asked which template you would like to use. Let’s select Cloudflare Workers for this example.
? Which template do you want to use? aws-lambda bun cloudflare-pages ❯ cloudflare-workers deno fastly nextjs nodejs vercel
The template will be pulled into hono-app, so go to it and install the dependencies.
cd my-app npm i
Creating Your First Hono.js Hello Application
Let’s dive into creating a simple Hono.js application that responds with “Hello, Hono.js!”
You can write code in TypeScript with the Cloudflare Workers development tool “Wrangler”, Deno, Bun, or others without being aware of transpiling.
Write your first application with Hono in src/index.ts. The example below is a starter Hono application.
The import and the final export default parts may vary from runtime to runtime, but all of the application code will run the same code everywhere.
import { Hono } from 'hono'
const app = new Hono()
app.get('/', (c) => {
return c.text('Hello Hono!')
})
export default app
Start the development server and access http://localhost:8787 with your browser.
npm run dev
That’s it.
You can follow instruction as per below video for hono js installation if you need help.
Core Concepts in Hono.js
Understanding Hono.js’s core concepts will help you build powerful applications efficiently.
1. Routing
Routing is the backbone of any web framework. Hono.js makes it easy to define routes for different HTTP methods:
app.get('/hello', (c) => c.text('Hello World!'));
app.post('/data', (c) => c.json({ success: true }));
Routes can also include parameters:
app.get('/user/:id', (c) => {
const userId = c.req.param('id');
return c.text(`User ID: ${userId}`);
});
2. Middleware
Middleware in Hono.js allows you to process requests and responses. You can create reusable middleware functions:
app.use('*', async (c, next) => {
console.log(`Request: ${c.req.method} ${c.req.url}`);
await next();
});
3. Request and Response Handling
Hono.js provides a clean API for handling requests and responses:
app.get('/json', (c) => c.json({ message: 'Hello, JSON!' }));
app.get('/text', (c) => c.text('Plain text response'));
4. Error Handling
Define a global error handler to manage exceptions effectively:
app.onError((err, c) => {
console.error('Error:', err);
return c.text('Internal Server Error', 500);
});
Use Cases
Hono JS is a straightforward web application framework akin to Express, but it does not include a frontend. It operates on CDN Edges, enabling the development of more extensive applications when integrated with middleware. Below are several examples of potential use cases.
- Development of Web APIs
- Proxying backend servers
- Serving as a front for CDN
- Edge application deployment
- Foundation server for a library
- Creation of full-stack applications.
Who is using Hono
Hono.js is gaining traction among developers and companies for its performance and flexibility. Here are some examples of companies and projects using Hono js:
- Cloudflare
- Nodecraft
- OpenStatus
- Unkey: Deploys applications built with Hono’s OpenAPI feature on Cloudflare Workers.
- Goens
- NOT A HOTEL
- CyberAgent
- AI shift
- Hanabi.rest
- BaseAI
Major web services and libraries such as Prisma, Resend, Vercel AI SDK, Supabase, and Upstash also use Hono in their examples. Additionally, several influencers favor Hono js as a faster alternative to Express.js.
Reference:
Credits:
Conclusion:
Hono js is an excellent choice for developers who prioritize performance, simplicity, and modern development practices. Whether you’re building a small application or a large-scale API, Hono js provides the tools and flexibility needed to succeed.
Its compatibility with multiple environments and strong TypeScript support make it a go-to framework for modern web development.
With Hono.js, you’re equipped to build efficient, scalable, and maintainable web applications. Dive in and explore its potential!