Lars Wächter has a great article on how to implement module aliases on Typescript, thus improving your code from looking something like this:
import { User } from '../../user/model';
import { Article } from '../../article/model';
import { Cache } from '../../../../cache';
import { MongoDB } from '../../../../mongodb';Into something that can look like this:
import { User } from '@modules/user/model';
import { Article } from '@modules/article/model';
import { Cache } from '@services/cache';
import { MongoDB } from '@services/mongodb';
Photo by Emile Perron
Fantastic!
However, I encountered an issue when using the zeit/pkg packaging tool, which bundles your node js application into a single executable file.
The problem was that pkg didn’t support module aliases, the way Lars solved it above. Doing a little bit of research, I found ef-tspm which is a post typescript compilation build step which reverts those module aliases (e.g. @/your-dir/your-file ) back into its pre alias form (e.g. ../../../../your-dir/your-file). This form can be handled by the pkg tool.
What will my build process look like?
tsc– Compile your Typescript code into Javascript.ef-tspm– Revert the module aliases found in your Javascript code.pkg .– Package your node js application.
Cheers!
References
- https://dev.to/larswaechter/path-aliases-with-typescript-in-nodejs-4353
- https://github.com/vercel/pkg/issues/249#issuecomment-643117032
Explore, Learn, and Thrive: Tech and Gaming with Darren
Hello, reader! I’m Darren, and I’m passionate about technology, learning, and gaming. My articles cater to mid to senior-level software engineers seeking to expand their knowledge and skills.
Through sharing our experiences and lessons learned (including our mistakes), we can inspire, support, and empower the next generation of engineering problem solvers. Documenting these insights also helps me reinforce their importance and ensure they remain in my memory.
In my blog, you’ll find a collection of mental models designed to help you tackle challenges in both your engineering career and personal life. Additionally, I share personal reflections and short stories, exploring parallels between competitive gaming and workplace performance.
Join me on this journey to learn and grow together!