What is the best approach to creating a Typescript library that offers maximal compatibility for a wide range

Question

What is the best approach to creating a Typescript library that offers maximal compatibility for a wide range

My Vision

I am aiming to develop a versatile library that can cater to both JavaScript and TypeScript developers for frontend applications, excluding Node.js. This means allowing JavaScript developers to utilize the library as inline script using

<script type="text/javascript" src="mylib.js">var myLib = new MyLib();</script>

, while enabling TypeScript developers to import the library's modules.

My Requirements

To achieve this goal, I require a build solution with the following capabilities:

The library must be developed in TypeScript.
The build process should automatically include all necessary declarations, facilitating module imports by TypeScript developers.
For JavaScript users, traditional usage via inline code within a <script> Tag should be supported.
Automatic generation of builds upon executing npm run build.
The library should strive for maximum compatibility with older browser versions.

Challenges Faced

I have experimented with different settings in the tsconfig.json file for my TypeScript library. One approach involved setting the "module" attribute to "none", but this resulted in limitations such as inability to use imports/exports and the need to merge TypeScript files into one, complicating development.
I've examined repositories like Konva.js, which achieves similar goals. However, grasping the methodology behind it remains a challenge. It appears the developer converts the code to UMD format, utilizes Rollup.js, and ultimately produces a JavaScript file along with the required TypeScript code at the end of the build process.

Seeking Assistance

Despite exploring various avenues for days, pinpointing the exact solution has proven elusive. Hence, seeking guidance here in hopes of finding a suitable resolution. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

javascript typescript npm tsc

Answer 1

Answer №1

When it comes to typescript, browsers do not comprehend it directly. That is why we make use of the typescript compiler to convert our typescript code into javascript. Typically, when building a typescript project or module, we include a tsconfig.json file which serves as a configuration file for the typescript compiler during the compilation process.

https://i.sstatic.net/GRgPG.png

The tsconfig.json file contains various configurations. For example, setting the target property to es5 helps in targeting most browsers due to its wide support among both older and newer versions. This ensures that the typescript compiler generates javascript output in the es5 version. Another important property is outDir, which specifies the directory where the compiled javascript code will be stored. Other developers can then import this code using script tags.

In the package.json file, you can define a build script to execute the typescript compiler for compiling your typescript code.

Regarding specifying the entry point of a typescript module (e.g., main.ts or index.ts in package.json), this allows other typescript developers to seamlessly integrate your library into their projects. The entry point file typically exports all the modules of the library, making them accessible to other users.

For instance, take a look at konvasjs's tsconfig file. They organize their javascript files in the lib directory for production usage, while working with regular typescript files for development purposes.

Answer 2

When it comes to typescript, browsers do not comprehend it directly. That is why we make use of the typescript compiler to convert our typescript code into javascript. Typically, when building a typescript project or module, we include a tsconfig.json file which serves as a configuration file for the typescript compiler during the compilation process.

https://i.sstatic.net/GRgPG.png

The tsconfig.json file contains various configurations. For example, setting the target property to es5 helps in targeting most browsers due to its wide support among both older and newer versions. This ensures that the typescript compiler generates javascript output in the es5 version. Another important property is outDir, which specifies the directory where the compiled javascript code will be stored. Other developers can then import this code using script tags.

In the package.json file, you can define a build script to execute the typescript compiler for compiling your typescript code.

Regarding specifying the entry point of a typescript module (e.g., main.ts or index.ts in package.json), this allows other typescript developers to seamlessly integrate your library into their projects. The entry point file typically exports all the modules of the library, making them accessible to other users.

For instance, take a look at konvasjs's tsconfig file. They organize their javascript files in the lib directory for production usage, while working with regular typescript files for development purposes.

Answer 3

Answer №2

Delving further into the realm of package builders, I stumbled upon the term "iife." An iife build enables the direct loading of a library via the script tag without any additional dependencies.

After numerous hours of experimentation, I unearthed the perfect solution for constructing my library to suit my specific requirements: rollup.js

The essential npm packages include:

rollup: the package builder.
@rollup/plugin-typescript: a TypeScript plugin for compiling TS code.
@rollup-plugin-generate-package-json: facilitates automatic copying and manipulation of the package.json file.

My customized solution generates a package structured as follows:

|dist
|- js
|-- MyLibrary.js
|- es
|-- // ES files
|- package.json

The MyLibrary.js file can be effortlessly imported using a <script> tag, while the related TypeScript files reside in the "es" folder. The package is configured to automatically point to the es/index.js, enabling TypeScript developers to benefit from autocomplete suggestions within their IDE.

For a sample repository, refer to: https://github.com/julianpoemp/rolltsup-sample

package.json:

{
  "name": "my-lib",
  "version": "0.0.1",
  "description": "",
  "main": "src/main.js",
  "dependencies": {
    "rollup": "^2.38.5"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@rollup/plugin-commonjs": "^17.1.0",
    "@rollup/plugin-typescript": "^8.1.1",
    "rollup-plugin-generate-package-json": "^3.2.0",
    "tslib": "^2.1.0",
    "typescript": "^4.1.3"
  },
  "scripts": {
    "build": "rollup --config rollup.config.js && rollup --config rollup.config_es.js",
    "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1"
  }
}

rollup.config.js

import typescript from '@rollup/plugin-typescript';

// rollup.config.js
export default {
    input: 'src/index.ts',
    output: {
        file: 'dist/js/myLibrary.js',
        name: 'MyLibrary',
        format: 'iife'
    },
    plugins: [
        typescript({
            target: "ES5",
            declaration: true,
            outDir: "dist/js",
            rootDir: "src"
        })
    ]
};

rollup.config_es.js

 import typescript from '@rollup/plugin-typescript';
import generatePackageJson from 'rollup-plugin-generate-package-json'

// rollup.config.js
export default {
    input: 'src/index.ts',
    output: {
        dir: 'dist/es',
        name: 'MyLibrary',
        format: 'es'
    },
    plugins: [
        typescript({
            target: "ES5",
            declaration: true,
            outDir: "dist/es",
            rootDir: "src"
        }),
        generatePackageJson({
            outputFolder: "dist",
            baseContents: (pkg) => {
                pkg.main = "es/index.js";
                pkg.scripts = undefined;
                return pkg;
            }
        })
    ]
};

Answer 4

Delving further into the realm of package builders, I stumbled upon the term "iife." An iife build enables the direct loading of a library via the script tag without any additional dependencies.

After numerous hours of experimentation, I unearthed the perfect solution for constructing my library to suit my specific requirements: rollup.js

The essential npm packages include:

rollup: the package builder.
@rollup/plugin-typescript: a TypeScript plugin for compiling TS code.
@rollup-plugin-generate-package-json: facilitates automatic copying and manipulation of the package.json file.

My customized solution generates a package structured as follows:

|dist
|- js
|-- MyLibrary.js
|- es
|-- // ES files
|- package.json

The MyLibrary.js file can be effortlessly imported using a <script> tag, while the related TypeScript files reside in the "es" folder. The package is configured to automatically point to the es/index.js, enabling TypeScript developers to benefit from autocomplete suggestions within their IDE.

For a sample repository, refer to: https://github.com/julianpoemp/rolltsup-sample

package.json:

{
  "name": "my-lib",
  "version": "0.0.1",
  "description": "",
  "main": "src/main.js",
  "dependencies": {
    "rollup": "^2.38.5"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@rollup/plugin-commonjs": "^17.1.0",
    "@rollup/plugin-typescript": "^8.1.1",
    "rollup-plugin-generate-package-json": "^3.2.0",
    "tslib": "^2.1.0",
    "typescript": "^4.1.3"
  },
  "scripts": {
    "build": "rollup --config rollup.config.js && rollup --config rollup.config_es.js",
    "test": "echo \"Error: no test specified\" && exit 1"
  }
}

rollup.config.js

import typescript from '@rollup/plugin-typescript';

// rollup.config.js
export default {
    input: 'src/index.ts',
    output: {
        file: 'dist/js/myLibrary.js',
        name: 'MyLibrary',
        format: 'iife'
    },
    plugins: [
        typescript({
            target: "ES5",
            declaration: true,
            outDir: "dist/js",
            rootDir: "src"
        })
    ]
};

rollup.config_es.js

 import typescript from '@rollup/plugin-typescript';
import generatePackageJson from 'rollup-plugin-generate-package-json'

// rollup.config.js
export default {
    input: 'src/index.ts',
    output: {
        dir: 'dist/es',
        name: 'MyLibrary',
        format: 'es'
    },
    plugins: [
        typescript({
            target: "ES5",
            declaration: true,
            outDir: "dist/es",
            rootDir: "src"
        }),
        generatePackageJson({
            outputFolder: "dist",
            baseContents: (pkg) => {
                pkg.main = "es/index.js";
                pkg.scripts = undefined;
                return pkg;
            }
        })
    ]
};

What is the best approach to creating a Typescript library that offers maximal compatibility for a wide range

My Vision

My Requirements

Challenges Faced

Seeking Assistance

Answer №1

Answer №2

Similar questions

Tips for replacing the values obtained during parsing an XML document

Accessing npm configuration values from a Node.js script

What is the best method for checking for JavaScript errors when using Selenium WebDriver in conjunction with NodeJS?

Combining information from two different sources to create a more comprehensive dataset

Guide on enabling a new input field in React when a dropdown option is selected by a user

Creating a JavaScript functional 'class' to easily access a method both from within and outside the function

Tips for tracking the number of selected checkboxes in Angular?

What could be causing errors with my addrole command in discord.jsV12?

Utilize Google Autofill to easily populate address fields in a form

Mirror the content of my div code onto a two-dimensional plane using an A-frame

Encountering complications when importing TypeScript declarations

Issue encountered while attempting to initiate a new project with Angular CLI

Enhancing performance with multiple spotlights in Three.js

Step-by-step guide to utilizing instance functions in AngularJS

Verification of a Basic Form

How can I design a tooltip window using HTML, jQuery, or other elements to create a box-like effect?

How can I use AJAX to automatically populate a dropdown menu with cities in a PHP MVC application?

How can we avoid multiple taps on Ext.Button in Sencha Touch?

Error: The ng-click directive is encountering a parsing syntax error. The token 'Object' is unexpected and is causing the error, it is expected to be enclosed in

The TypeScript error code TS2345 indicates that the argument type 'JQueryXHR' cannot be assigned to the parameter type 'Promise<any>'