Receiving a 414 error while using vue-typeahead with the New York Times API

Other Questions API
1

Issue Summary

I’m developing an application using Vue.js that features a typeahead component created with vue-typeahead, and I’m making axios requests to the New York Times API for top stories. The idea is to allow users to type in search terms and present matching story titles.

However, I keep encountering a 414 error which states: 414 (Request-URI Too Large). I suspect this happens because I’m attempting to fetch too much data in a single request.

Code Example

Here’s my Typeahead component:

<template>
  <div class="typeahead">
    <header>
      <h1>Typeahead Feature</h1>
      <h4>Vue.js typeahead using NYT's top stories API</h4>
    </header>
    <section>
      <i class="loader" v-if="loading"></i>
      <input type="text"
        v-model="searchTerm"
        placeholder="Type to search..."
        @input="fetchResults" />
      <ul v-if="results.length">
        <li v-for="(result, index) in results" :key="index">
          <h3>{{ result.headline }}</h3>
          <p>{{ result.summary }}</p>
        </li>
      </ul>
      <div v-if="noResults">No results found</div>
    </section>
  </div>
</template>

<script>
import axios from 'axios';
export default {
  data() {
    return {
      searchTerm: '',
      results: [],
      loading: false,
      noResults: false
    }
  },
  methods: {
    fetchResults() {
      this.loading = true;
      axios.get(`https://api.nytimes.com/svc/topstories/v2/home.json?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY&query=${this.searchTerm}`)
        .then(response => {
          this.results = response.data.results;
          this.noResults = this.results.length === 0;
          this.loading = false;
        })
        .catch(err => {
          console.error(err);
          this.loading = false;
        });
    }
  }
}
</script>

How can I resolve this error effectively?

2

Encountering a 414 error indicates that the request URL is too long, likely due to the inclusion of the search query directly in the URL, especially if the input gets lengthy. Here’s a simple solution to optimize your request and avoid this error:

Use POST Instead of GET

Transitioning from a GET to a POST request can help, as POST handles large payloads better. You should modify your approach by sending the search term in the request body.

Updated Code Example

axios.post('https://api.nytimes.com/svc/topstories/v2/home.json', {
  api_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY',
  query: this.searchTerm
})
.then(response => {
  this.results = response.data.results;
  this.noResults = this.results.length === 0;
  this.loading = false;
})
.catch(err => {
  console.error(err);
  this.loading = false;
});

Additional Tips

  • Ensure query optimization by limiting the search term length before the request is made.
  • Cache requests for frequently searched terms to reduce unnecessary requests.

With these changes, you should find a reduction in errors and improved efficiency. Ensuring payload efficiency and request optimization will save you potential headaches down the line.