Should You Defer `req.Body.Close()` in Net/HTTP Handlers?

Proper Placement of "defer req.Body.Close()"

In Net/HTTP handlers, it is common to see "defer req.Body.Close()" used to close the request body after processing. However, the ideal placement of this statement has been a matter of debate.

Initial Placement vs. End Placement

Some developers argue that it should be placed at the end of the function immediately before the return statement. This ensures that the body is closed in all cases, regardless of whether an error occurs.

Others prefer to place it near the beginning of the function. This approach enables early closure of the body, freeing up resources and potentially preventing unnecessary memory consumption.

HTTP Request Lifecycle

It is important to understand the HTTP request lifecycle to make an informed decision. According to the HTTP/1.1 specification, the server is responsible for closing the request body:

"The server must read and discard any request content sent in the request payload before a reply can be sent."

This implies that the responsibility for closing the body lies primarily with the server, not the handler.

Handler and Server Responsibilities

While it is technically possible to close the request body in the handler, it is generally considered unnecessary. The server will automatically close the body once it has finished processing the request. By explicitly closing the body in the handler unnecessarily, you may interfere with the server's process and introduce potential race conditions.

Therefore, the recommended practice is to omit "defer req.Body.Close()" from your handlers altogether. The server will take care of closing the body as expected, ensuring correct handling of HTTP requests.

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