Implement Soft Delete vs Hard Delete

Express.js

Node.js

Technical Specification

Implement DELETE /items/:id as soft delete (mark isDeleted) and add /admin/items endpoint to include deleted ones.

Input/Output Samples

Input:DELETE /items/1

Output:Item marked isDeleted=true

Optimal Logic Path

app.delete("/items/:id", (req, res) => {
  const item = items.find((i) => i.id === Number(req.params.id));
  if (!item) return res.status(404).json({ error: "Not found" });
  item.isDeleted = true;
  res.status(204).end();
});

app.get("/items", (req, res) => {
  res.json(items.filter((i) => !i.isDeleted));
});

app.get("/admin/items", (req, res) => {
  res.json(items);
});

Architectural Deep-Dive

Soft delete lets you hide records from normal clients while keeping them for admin or recovery.