nodejs - first argument must be a string or Buffer

Question

I'm simply trying to create a node server that outputs the HTTP status of a given URL.

When I try to flush the response with res.write, I get the error: throw new TypeError('first argument must be a string or Buffer');

But if I replace them with console.log, everything is fine (but I need to write them to the browser not the console).

The code is

var server = http.createServer(function (req, res) {
    res.writeHead(200, {"Content-Type": "text/plain"});

    request({
        uri: 'http://www.google.com',
        method: 'GET',
        maxRedirects:3
    }, function(error, response, body) {
        if (!error) {
            res.write(response.statusCode);
        } else {
            //response.end(error);
            res.write(error);
        }
    });     

    res.end();
});
server.listen(9999);

I believe I should add a callback somewhere but pretty confused and any help is appreciated.

Answer 1

Although the question is solved, sharing knowledge for clarification of the correct meaning of the error.

The error says that the parameter needed to the concerned breaking function is not in the required format i.e. string or Buffer

The solution is to change the parameter to string

breakingFunction(JSON.stringify(offendingParameter), ... other params...);

or buffer

breakingFunction(BSON.serialize(offendingParameter), ... other params...);