httpBuildQuery()

Generate URL-encoded query string from the object (PHP's http_build_query() in JavaScript). Compatible with Node.js ≥6 and modern browsers.

Features

• PHP Compatibility: Implements PHP's http_build_query() function behavior in JavaScript
• Nested Structures: Handles nested objects and arrays with proper bracket notation
• Type Handling: Correctly converts booleans (true → "1", false → "0"), numbers, strings, null, and undefined
• Customizable: Supports numeric prefix, custom argument separator, and nested key formatting
• Browser & Node.js: Works in both browser and Node.js environments
• Zero Dependencies: Lightweight with no external dependencies

Installation

npm install http-build-query

Or using yarn:

yarn add http-build-query

For browser usage, include via CDN:

<script src="https://unpkg.com/http-build-query"></script>

API

httpBuildQuery(queryData, numericPrefix, argSeparator, tempKey)

Parameters

• queryData (Object): The data to convert to query string
• numericPrefix (String|null): Prefix for numeric keys (default: null)
• argSeparator (String): Separator between arguments (default: "&")
• tempKey (String|null): Temporary key for nested objects (used internally for recursion)

Returns

• (String): URL-encoded query string

Usage Examples

Basic Usage

var httpBuildQuery = require("http-build-query");

var data = {
  name: "John Doe",
  age: 30,
  active: true,
};

var query = httpBuildQuery(data);
// Result: "name=John+Doe&age=30&active=1"

Numeric Prefix

var data = {
  0: "value1",
  1: "value2",
  key: "value3",
};

var query = httpBuildQuery(data, "prefix_");
// Result: "prefix_0=value1&prefix_1=value2&key=value3"

Custom Argument Separator

var data = { a: 1, b: 2, c: 3 };

var query = httpBuildQuery(data, null, ";");
// Result: "a=1;b=2;c=3"

var query2 = httpBuildQuery(data, null, "&");
// Result: "a=1&b=2&c=3"

Complex Example (PHP Documentation Example)

var data = {
  user: {
    name: "Bob Smith",
    age: 47,
    sex: "M",
    dob: "5/12/1956",
  },
  pastimes: ["golf", "opera", "poker", "rap"],
  children: {
    bobby: { age: 12, sex: "M" },
    sally: { age: 8, sex: "F" },
  },
  "+0": "CEO",
};

var query = httpBuildQuery(data, "flags_");
// Result matches PHP's http_build_query() output

Browser Usage

Direct Include

<script src="https://unpkg.com/http-build-query"></script>
<script>
  var data = { q: "search term", page: 1 };
  var query = httpBuildQuery(data);
  console.log(query); // "q=search+term&page=1"
</script>

Migration from Older Versions

Version 0.8.0 maintains full backward compatibility with previous versions. The only changes are internal improvements:

• Added "use strict" directive
• Improved code readability and documentation
• Updated dependencies
• Same API and behavior

License

MIT © Vlad Zadvorny