What are the distinguishing features between UMD and CommonJS (CJS) package directories, and which one is preferable for my use?

After setting up my package.json, I successfully installed reactjs and react-dom.

    "dependencies": {
        "bootstrap": "^v4.1.1",
        "popper.js": "^1.14.3",
        "react": "^v16.4.1",
        "react-dom": "^16.4.1"
    }

Upon downloading, the react and react-dom folders were both added correctly.

Inside each folder are subdirectories for cjs and umd, containing numerous JavaScript files.

Despite their similarities, I am having difficulty distinguishing between the files within these folders:

    URL: node_modules/react/umd
      react-development.js
      react-production.min.js

    URL: node_modules/react/cjs
       react-development.js
       react-production.min.js

The same pattern can be seen in the react-dom folder as well, leaving me unsure of which specific files to utilize in building a React application or website.

javascriptnpmcommonjsumd

Answer №1

Originally, JavaScript was designed for use in interactive browsers only. However, with the introduction of NodeJS, it can now be utilized in non-browser contexts as well. This shift has led to the development of incompatible module formats:

  • The “CommonJS” specification outlines the use of an exports object as the API for defining and discovering exported names from a module. CommonJS modules are not intended for loading in interactive browsers, and NodeJS is a popular implementation of this format.

  • The “Asynchronous Module Definition” (AMD) specifies how to bundle JavaScript modules assuming they will be loaded in interactive browsers. RequireJS is a widely used library that supports AMD modules.

  • Due to the popularity and mutual unintelligibility of AMD and CommonJS, the “Universal Module Definition” (UMD) offers a pattern for creating modules that can be consumed by both formats, albeit with a more complex structure.

  • In a more recent development, ECMAScript 2015 introduces export and import syntax specifically tailored to support modules.

When deciding which format to use, consider the requirements of your build system for consuming these modules.

As of February 2022, the recommended choice is: utilize ECMAScript modules, which have been widely supported for several years, including in NodeJS and most major browsers.

If there is a need to cater to extremely outdated JavaScript engines, one of the earlier formats may be necessary, but plans should be made to eventually phase out support for these systems.

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