Node.js Stream transform.destroy() Method

Last Updated : 28 Apr, 2025

The transform.destroy() method in a Readable Stream is used to destroy the transform stream and also emits an 'error' event optionally. Moreover, the transform stream releases any internal resources after this call is made.

Syntax:

transform.destroy( error )

Parameters: This method accepts single parameters error which emits an error event optionally.

Return Value: It emits an error event if any error is made in creating a stream else it only destroys the transform streams.

The below examples illustrate the use of transform.destroy() method in Node.js:

Example 1:

javascript

// Node.js program to demonstrate the    
// transform.destroy() method

// Accessing zlib module
const zlib = require("zlib");

// Create a transform stream
const transform = zlib.createGzip();

// Calling destroy method
transform.destroy();
transform.destroyed;

Output:

true

Example 2:

javascript

// Node.js program to demonstrate the    
// transform.destroy() method

// Accessing fs module
const fs = require("fs");

// Accessing zlib module
const zlib = require("zlib");

// Create a readable stream
const readable = fs.createReadStream('input.text');

// Create a writable stream
const writable = fs.createWriteStream('output.text');

// Create a transform stream
const transform = zlib.createGzip();

// Calling pipe method
readable.pipe(transform).pipe(writable);

// Calling destroy method
transform.destroy();
console.log("done...");