Optimal method for importing libraries in Angular 2 with TypeScript

Question

Optimal method for importing libraries in Angular 2 with TypeScript

Currently experimenting with Angular2, but I find myself in need of using jQuery.

After downloading the d.ts file, I referenced the definitions in each file using the following syntax:

/// <reference path="../../../../typings/jquery/jquery.d.ts" />

This method works, but it raises two questions:

Is it necessary to use this syntax in every file? (not very convenient)
Is this the correct syntax to use? In Angular2 (typescript), we typically use something like:
```
import {RouteConfig, RouterOutlet} from 'angular2/router';
```
So, what are the differences and which approach is better?

typescript angular

Answer 1

Answer №1

The two statements perform distinct functions.

reference instructs the compiler on which files to include during compilation.

Having reference statements in every file can be cumbersome. To address this, a tsconfig.json file can be used to specify the compiler's inclusions instead.

You can create a tsconfig.json file using the command:

tsc --init

An example of the content in a tsconfig.json file would be:

{
    "compilerOptions": {
        "module": "commonjs",
        "target": "es5",
        "noImplicitAny": false,
        "sourceMap": false,
        "experimentalDecorators": true
    },
    "exclude": [
        "node_modules"
    ]
}

import {X} from 'y' is used to define module dependencies during runtime.

This is the ES6 standard import statement. In TypeScript, it gets compiled to JavaScript, informing the module loader of the dependencies at runtime so it can fetch them.

For instance, if the module is commonjs, this TypeScript code:

import {doSomething} from './moduleTree';

doSomething()

Will be compiled to:

"use strict";
var moduleTree_1 = require('./moduleTree');
moduleTree_1.doSomething();

To summarize, reference is employed during compilation, while import is utilized at runtime.

Answer 2

The two statements perform distinct functions.

reference instructs the compiler on which files to include during compilation.

Having reference statements in every file can be cumbersome. To address this, a tsconfig.json file can be used to specify the compiler's inclusions instead.

You can create a tsconfig.json file using the command:

tsc --init

An example of the content in a tsconfig.json file would be:

{
    "compilerOptions": {
        "module": "commonjs",
        "target": "es5",
        "noImplicitAny": false,
        "sourceMap": false,
        "experimentalDecorators": true
    },
    "exclude": [
        "node_modules"
    ]
}

import {X} from 'y' is used to define module dependencies during runtime.

This is the ES6 standard import statement. In TypeScript, it gets compiled to JavaScript, informing the module loader of the dependencies at runtime so it can fetch them.

For instance, if the module is commonjs, this TypeScript code:

import {doSomething} from './moduleTree';

doSomething()

Will be compiled to:

"use strict";
var moduleTree_1 = require('./moduleTree');
moduleTree_1.doSomething();

To summarize, reference is employed during compilation, while import is utilized at runtime.

Optimal method for importing libraries in Angular 2 with TypeScript

Answer №1

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