Guide on how to bundle a TypeScript project into a single JavaScript file for smooth browser integration

Question

Guide on how to bundle a TypeScript project into a single JavaScript file for smooth browser integration

I am currently working on a small project that requires me to write a JavaScript SDK. My initial plan was to create a TypeScript project and compile it into a single JavaScript file, allowing users of my SDK to easily inject that file into their web pages.

However, I recently discovered that if I use import statements and try to compile the project into a single file, it only supports SystemJS.

So, my question is: How can I compile a TypeScript project into a single JS file that is usable in a browser?

By "usable in a browser," I mean that if I define a class called App in TypeScript, I should be able to instantiate it in the developer console like this:

var x = new App();

I have been researching this issue for over an hour now, and everything I have found suggests that it may not be possible.

Edit: This does not provide a satisfactory answer to my question. As mentioned in the example, I need the functionality where if there is a class named App in my TypeScript project, it should be accessible in the browser with the same name so that I can create a new instance using var x = new App() in my dev console. (Or allow a user to do the same in their injected JS file after including my SDK file). This answer only explains how to generate an outfile in SystemJS.

javascript typescript systemjs

Answer 1

Answer №1

To achieve this functionality, webpack can be utilized as it serves as a Node.JS utility designed to bundle modules similar to Node.JS modules. Unlike automatically exporting modules to the global object, webpack generates a function that replaces the default require in Node.JS. This function is responsible for executing the entry module and others, giving you the flexibility to modify it for exporting each module or its properties to the global object.

In TypeScript, opt for CommonJS modules and integrate the ts-loader plugin with webpack for seamless compilation of TypeScript within webpack itself.

This method may be specific to Webpack 2. By tweaking the __webpack_require__ function, which is not inherently part of the global object, you need to intervene in the generated source code produced by webpack. Look for the function __webpack_require__ block:

function __webpack_require__(moduleId) {
    // [...] (After the `if (installedModules...) ...`)
    /*
     * Since module name isn't accessible, export each property to the browser's global object.
     */
    var exports = module.exports;
    for (var key in exports)
        window[key] = exports[key];
}

Answer 2

To achieve this functionality, webpack can be utilized as it serves as a Node.JS utility designed to bundle modules similar to Node.JS modules. Unlike automatically exporting modules to the global object, webpack generates a function that replaces the default require in Node.JS. This function is responsible for executing the entry module and others, giving you the flexibility to modify it for exporting each module or its properties to the global object.

In TypeScript, opt for CommonJS modules and integrate the ts-loader plugin with webpack for seamless compilation of TypeScript within webpack itself.

This method may be specific to Webpack 2. By tweaking the __webpack_require__ function, which is not inherently part of the global object, you need to intervene in the generated source code produced by webpack. Look for the function __webpack_require__ block:

function __webpack_require__(moduleId) {
    // [...] (After the `if (installedModules...) ...`)
    /*
     * Since module name isn't accessible, export each property to the browser's global object.
     */
    var exports = module.exports;
    for (var key in exports)
        window[key] = exports[key];
}

Guide on how to bundle a TypeScript project into a single JavaScript file for smooth browser integration

Answer №1

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