Node js require code instead of file

Question

I am trying to setup an interface, where I can write one js file that can be used on the server (nodejs) and on the client (javascript).

An example file would be a Vector object, that I would like to use on both the client and the server, as I am creating a multiplayer game.

In node.js, I know that you can use the following syntax to require source files...

var Vector = require('./vector');

Then you can access its module.exports by typing in Vector.

The problem here is that for the server I need an extra bit of code at the end of the file...

module.exports = Vector;

... which is not necessary on the client.

Is it possible to maybe require source code, something like the following?

var data = (...) // get data from vector.js file
var Vector = require_code(data + 'module.exports = Vector');

If not, there might be another way of doing what I am trying to accomplish.

That might sound a little confusing, but help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

David.

Answer 1

Sounds like you are looking for UMDs - Universal Module Definitions.

(function (root, factory) {
    if (typeof define === "function" && define.amd) {
        define(["jquery", "underscore"], factory);
    } else if (typeof exports === "object") {
        module.exports = factory(require("jquery"), require("underscore"));
    } else {
        root.Requester = factory(root.$, root._);
    }
}(this, function ($, _) {
    // this is where I defined my module implementation

    var Requester = { // ... };

    return Requester;
}));

You'll need to change the name in root.Requestor to be the name of your module. root picks up the value of this which will be the global object or what you normally call window on the browser.

This particular example looks for jQuery and underscore as example dependencies, but they are easy enough to factor out if you need.