Building a javascript app shared across node.js and client side

Question

I am used to cross platform dev. On the C/C++ side it's simple, but I'm stuck with a problem when using javascript. I want to be able to reuse code from my web-service on the client-side. Currently node.js requires me to write my program in a most unpleasant way but I can handle it:

//MyClass.js
function MyClass()
{
    this.test = function(){}
}

module.exports.MyClass = MyClass;

//server.js

var m = new require('MyClass.js').MyClass();
m.test();

//client.js
$.getScript("MyClass.js", function(){
    var m = new MyClass();
    m.test();
});

To that point it is all fine, but I have an issue when I need to load classes from MyClass.js. How can I make it work across all the platforms? Is there a way to achieve reusability without processing the files?

possible duplicate of How can I share code between Node.js and the browser? — leepowers
– leepowers, Commented Dec 31, 2012 at 2:05

Brad · Accepted Answer · 2012-12-31 02:44:27Z

2

Node requires you to do nothing. If you aren't a fan of the way the Node module system works, simply don't use it.

//MyClass.js
MyClass = function ()
{
    this.test = function(){}
}

//server.js
require('./MyClass.js');
var m = new MyClass();
m.test();

Now your application is compatible with what you have going on client-side. Just bear in mind that you are now creating classes in the global namespace, which is one reason for using Node's module layout.

I suggest also looking into some of the ways to use a Node-style require on the client. There are many scripts available, such as RequireJS or Browserify.

edited Dec 31, 2012 at 2:44

answered Dec 31, 2012 at 2:05

Brad

164k57 gold badges380 silver badges559 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

7 Comments

Coyote Over a year ago

On my side with node.js v0.8.15 it doesn't work: src/server.js:3 var m = new MyClass(); ^ ReferenceError: MyClass is not defined which version of node.js are you using?

Brad Over a year ago

Sorry, try MyClass = function () { instead of function MyClass().

Brad Over a year ago

@icktoofay, Modules don't get their own global scope. Global is global to the entire application. nodejs.org/api/globals.html#globals_global I see what you're getting at though. Let me check my code again and see why this works for me.

Brad Over a year ago

@icktoofay, I just tested, and it works fine. However, there may be a path issue... code was missing the ./. editing now.

Brad Over a year ago

@icktoofay, No worries, but I am a bit confused myself now! It was my understanding that function something was equivalent to something = function. Any thoughts on that?

|

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Building a javascript app shared across node.js and client side

1 Answer 1

7 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

7 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related