Should I use map or switchmap when using angular http module

Question

I want to if i Should  use map or switchmap when using angular http module?

Answer 1

When working with the Angular HTTP module, whether to use map or switchMap depends on the scenario:

Use map when

You only need to transform the response from an HTTP call.

There is no need to cancel or replace previous requests.

Example:

this.http.get<User>('https://api.example.com/user')

  .pipe(map(user => user.name))

  .subscribe(name => console.log(name));

Use switchMap when

You need to replace an ongoing request with a new one (e.g., when handling user input or dependent API calls).

It cancels the previous HTTP request if a new one starts before the previous completes.

Example (e.g., search field API call):

this.searchInput.valueChanges.pipe(

  debounceTime(300),

  switchMap(query => this.http.get<User[]>(`https://api.example.com/search?query=${query}`))

).subscribe(users => console.log(users));

Key Difference:

map transforms data without affecting the stream flow.

switchMap cancels the previous observable and subscribes to a new one.