Using Redis for Rate Limiting in Node.js — Sorted Sets vs Hashes

Rate limiting is a critical component in web applications, especially when dealing with high-traffic APIs or services. It prevents resource abuse by limiting the number of requests a user can make in a given time frame. In this article, we explore two methods of implementing rate limiting in a Node.js application using Redis: one with Sorted Sets and the other with Hashes.

Introduction to Redis and Its Data Types

Redis is an in-memory data store known for its versatility and speed. It supports various data types, including strings, lists, sets, hashes, and sorted sets, each serving different purposes. In rate limiting, two particularly useful Redis data types are Sorted Sets and Hashes.

Redis Sorted Sets

Sorted Sets, or ZSets, are a data type in Redis that holds unique elements in a set, but each element is associated with a score. This score is used to sort the elements in the set. In the context of rate limiting, Sorted Sets can be used to store timestamps of each request made by a user.

Redis Hashes

Hashes in Redis are a collection of field-value pairs. They are ideal for storing objects. For rate limiting, a hash can store the number of requests a user has…