How do I include a JavaScript library in Yii2 using Composer?

Question

How do I include a JavaScript library in Yii2 using Composer?

After successfully setting up a basic app following the steps outlined in this installation guide for Yii, I encountered a new challenge. The requirement now is to utilize q.js, which is available as an npm package. However, I am unsure of how to incorporate it using composer. Although alternatives like using a CDN or manual download are possible, my preference is to utilize composer. How can I achieve this?

In my composer.json file, I included the following:

"require": {
    "php": ">=5.4.0",
    "yiisoft/yii2": ">=2.0.4",
    "yiisoft/yii2-bootstrap": "*",
    "yiisoft/yii2-swiftmailer": "*",
    "npm-asset/q": "~1.4"               <------
},

Upon running composer.phar update, I encountered the error:

Your requirements could not be resolved to an installable set of packages.

    Problem 1
    - The requested package npm-asset/q could not be found in any version, 
      there may be a typo in the package name.

This raises the question of whether my approach is incorrect.

I am also seeking guidance on how to add JavaScript libraries to the project. While I understand that adding it to an Asset is necessary at a later stage, my current hurdle is obtaining the JS file initially.

* Is 'hosted' the appropriate term to use in this context?

javascript npm composer-php yii2

Answer 1

Answer №1

If you're looking for a simple way to include npm or bower packages in your composer.json file, consider using the convenient asset-packagist service:

Start by removing the fxp/composer-asset-plugin:

composer global remove fxp/composer-asset-plugin

Next, add the asset-packagist repository to your composer.json file:

"repositories": [
    {
        "type": "composer",
        "url": "https://asset-packagist.org"
    }
]

Once that's done, you can easily require npm packages with the prefix npm-asset/ and bower packages with the prefix bower-asset/ in your composer.json file:

"require": {
    "bower-asset/bootstrap": "^3.3",
    "npm-asset/jquery": "^2.2"
}

By following these steps, you eliminate the need for a global plugin and enjoy quicker composer updates.

Answer 2

If you're looking for a simple way to include npm or bower packages in your composer.json file, consider using the convenient asset-packagist service:

Start by removing the fxp/composer-asset-plugin:

composer global remove fxp/composer-asset-plugin

Next, add the asset-packagist repository to your composer.json file:

"repositories": [
    {
        "type": "composer",
        "url": "https://asset-packagist.org"
    }
]

Once that's done, you can easily require npm packages with the prefix npm-asset/ and bower packages with the prefix bower-asset/ in your composer.json file:

"require": {
    "bower-asset/bootstrap": "^3.3",
    "npm-asset/jquery": "^2.2"
}

By following these steps, you eliminate the need for a global plugin and enjoy quicker composer updates.

Answer 3

Answer №2

The most effective approach is to modify the asset/AppAsset.php file as follows:

class AppAsset extends AssetBundle
{
    public $basePath = '@webroot';
    public $baseUrl = '@web';
    public $js = [
        'js\custom_file.js',
    ];
    public $depends = [
        'yii\web\YiiAsset',
        'yii\bootstrap\BootstrapAsset',
    ];
}

Create a js folder within your web directory and place your custom JavaScript file in it.

To include the JavaScript file, use the following code:

$this->registerJsFile(Yii::$app->request->baseUrl.'/js/custom_file.js');

Answer 4

The most effective approach is to modify the asset/AppAsset.php file as follows:

class AppAsset extends AssetBundle
{
    public $basePath = '@webroot';
    public $baseUrl = '@web';
    public $js = [
        'js\custom_file.js',
    ];
    public $depends = [
        'yii\web\YiiAsset',
        'yii\bootstrap\BootstrapAsset',
    ];
}

Create a js folder within your web directory and place your custom JavaScript file in it.

To include the JavaScript file, use the following code:

$this->registerJsFile(Yii::$app->request->baseUrl.'/js/custom_file.js');

Answer 5

Answer №3

Perhaps the author's advice is a bit delayed, but it could still be beneficial for others.

Using Composer

If your library does not have a composer setup (meaning there is no composer.json file in its root with necessary information for packagist.org), including it via composer can be challenging.

On the other hand, including CDN libraries is straightforward and best done using AssetBundle, like this:

<?
namespace frontend\assets;

use yii\web\AssetBundle;
// Main frontend application asset bundle
class AppAsset extends AssetBundle {
    public $basePath = '@webroot';
    public $baseUrl = '@web';
    public $css = [
        '//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,600&amp;subset=cyrillic,cyrillic-ext',
        '//cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8afaf8effefef3a7e9e2efe9e1e8e5f2cab9a4ba">[email protected]</a>/dist/pretty-checkbox.min.css'
    ];
    public $js = [];
    public $depends = [
        'yii\web\YiiAsset',
    ];
}

Linking vendor-based JS

Linking to JS libraries installed through composer may seem complicated because the vendor folder is not web-accessible, but it's actually quite simple with Yii2.

Yii2's AssetBundle offers a sourcePath option that allows you to link to a directory that isn't publicly accessible (like vendor).

Yii will handle publishing the included files to the @web/assets/ folder and linking to them at runtime.

Here's an example using jquery.cookie:

<?
namespace frontend\assets;

use yii\web\AssetBundle;
// Class JqueryCookieAsset
class JqueryCookieAsset extends AssetBundle {
    public $sourcePath = '@vendor/components/jquery-cookie';
    
    public $js = [
        'jquery.cookie.js'
    ];
}

Answer 6

Perhaps the author's advice is a bit delayed, but it could still be beneficial for others.

Using Composer

If your library does not have a composer setup (meaning there is no composer.json file in its root with necessary information for packagist.org), including it via composer can be challenging.

On the other hand, including CDN libraries is straightforward and best done using AssetBundle, like this:

<?
namespace frontend\assets;

use yii\web\AssetBundle;
// Main frontend application asset bundle
class AppAsset extends AssetBundle {
    public $basePath = '@webroot';
    public $baseUrl = '@web';
    public $css = [
        '//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Open+Sans:400,600&amp;subset=cyrillic,cyrillic-ext',
        '//cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8afaf8effefef3a7e9e2efe9e1e8e5f2cab9a4ba">[email protected]</a>/dist/pretty-checkbox.min.css'
    ];
    public $js = [];
    public $depends = [
        'yii\web\YiiAsset',
    ];
}

Linking vendor-based JS

Linking to JS libraries installed through composer may seem complicated because the vendor folder is not web-accessible, but it's actually quite simple with Yii2.

Yii2's AssetBundle offers a sourcePath option that allows you to link to a directory that isn't publicly accessible (like vendor).

Yii will handle publishing the included files to the @web/assets/ folder and linking to them at runtime.

Here's an example using jquery.cookie:

<?
namespace frontend\assets;

use yii\web\AssetBundle;
// Class JqueryCookieAsset
class JqueryCookieAsset extends AssetBundle {
    public $sourcePath = '@vendor/components/jquery-cookie';
    
    public $js = [
        'jquery.cookie.js'
    ];
}

How do I include a JavaScript library in Yii2 using Composer?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Answer №3

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