module.exports that include all functions in a single line

Question

This is a follow-up question to In Node.js, how do I "include" functions from my other files?

I would like to include an external js file that contains common functions for a node.js app.

From one of the answers in In Node.js, how do I "include" functions from my other files?, this can be done by

// tools.js
// ========
module.exports = {
  foo: function () {
    // whatever
  },
  bar: function () {
    // whatever
  }
};

var zemba = function () {
}

It is inconvenient to export each and every function. Is it possible to have a one-liner that exports all functions? Something that looks like this;

module.exports = 'all functions';

It is so much more convenient this way. It is also less buggy in case one forgets to export certain functions later.

If not a one-liner, are there simpler alternatives that make coding more convenient? I just want to include an external js file made up of common functions conveniently. Something like include <stdio.h> in C/C++.

No. This is not how Javascript works. The way you mention is the most efficient way. — Qix - MONICA WAS MISTREATED, Nov 08 '15 at 01:14

score 47 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 25 '21 at 21:55

47

You can write all your function declarations first and then export them in an object:

function bar() {
   //bar
}

function foo() {
   //foo
}

module.exports = {
    foo, bar
};

There's no magical one-liner though, you need to explicitly export the functions you want to be public.

edited Nov 25 '21 at 21:55

Albert Cerfeda

3
2

answered Nov 08 '15 at 01:06

Timur Ridjanovic

1,002
1
12
18

6

Thanks. I guess that is the best javascript can offer at the moment. It is one thing that makes me appreciate python. – guagay_wk Nov 08 '15 at 01:07

score 26 · Answer 2 · answered Nov 08 '15 at 01:46

26

I have done something like the following:

var Exported = {
   someFunction: function() { },
   anotherFunction: function() { },
}

module.exports = Exported;

I require it in another file and I can access those functions

var Export = require('path/to/Exported');
Export.someFunction();

This is essentially just an object with functions in it, and then you export the object.

answered Nov 08 '15 at 01:46

Peter Huffer

259
2
5

This solution is the least redundant. – mareoraft Jan 07 '19 at 16:27
2

However, this solution fails if you want one of your functions to call another one of your functions. You might get around the problem by using a class. – mareoraft Jan 07 '19 at 17:15
1

@mareoraft How does it fail? To call anotherFunction in someFunction just do this.anotherFunction() – reggaeguitar Jun 14 '20 at 17:30

score 21 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 06 '19 at 00:01

A really old question but I just had to solve the same issue myself. the solution I used was to define a Class inside the module to contain all my functions and simply export an instance of the class.

classes.js looks like this:

class TestClass
{
   Function1() {
        return "Function1";
    } 
    Function2() {
        return "Function2";
    }
}

module.exports = new TestClass();

app.js looks like this:

const TestClass = require("./classes");
console.log( TestClass.Function1);

just keep adding more functions to the class and they will be exported :)

score 16 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 19 '18 at 20:59

16

It is worth noting that in ES6, you can now export functions like this:

export function foo(){}
export function bar(){}
function zemba(){}

Simply write export before the functions you want to export. More information here.

answered Mar 19 '18 at 20:59

EpicDavi

6,732
3
19
20

score 14 · Answer 5 · answered May 26 '19 at 12:45

14

If you use ES6 you can do something like that:

function bar() {
   //bar
}

function foo() {
   //foo
}

export default { bar, foo };

answered May 26 '19 at 12:45

Weslei Prudencio

469
5
6

score 5 · Answer 6 · edited Dec 27 '20 at 08:29

const fs = require("fs")


var ExportAll = {

    deleteFile : function deleteFile(image,folder="uploads"){
    
        let imagePath = `public/${folder}/${image}`
    
        if (fs.existsSync(imagePath)){
            fs.unlinkSync(imagePath)
        }
    },


    checkFile : function checkFile(image,folder="uploads"){
    
        let imagePath = `public/${folder}/${image}`
    
        if (fs.existsSync(imagePath)){
            return true
        }
        else{
            return false
        }
    },
    

    rand : function(min=1,max=10) 
           {
        return Math.floor((Math.random() * max) + min)
          }
}

module.exports = ExportAll

Please add an explanation to what you have tried and what isn't working to add some clarity to your problem — TERMINATOR, Dec 27 '20 at 09:04

score 4 · Answer 7 · answered May 14 '21 at 13:52

Import everything from a type module file that has functions that are exported.

Found here: https://javascript.info/import-export

myfile.js

export function myFunction()
{
// ................
}

export function myFunction2()
{
// ................
}

myfile2.js - import everything that is exported in the file

import * as myFunctions from './myfile.js';


// Usage 

    myFunctions.myFunction(); 
    myFunctions.myFunction2();

module.exports that include all functions in a single line

7 Answers7

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