@quenty/loader

Nevermore Loader

A simple module loader for Roblox

Installation with NPM

Install via NPM like this:

npm install @quenty/loader --save

And then we need to specifically map this loader

Features

• Load by name instead of instance (i.e. require("MyModuleName"))
• Detects cyclical requirements in module scripts
• Can also load by indexing (i.e. require["MyModuleName"])
• Can be stored in _G or shared to support legacy require systems so you can do _G.Modules["MyModuleName"]
• Lets all modules be stored in one folder and replicates them based upon parent name
  • Server/Client/Shared code gets replicated properly
  • Does not load in submodules so libraries can be used
• Allows you to load in other modules after initialization!

Using Nevermore's library loader

Using Nevermore is really simple. You can either keep the name Nevermore, or customize components here.

Using this loader does not require the large amount of libraries associated with it.

1. Put this script, and all of its children in ReplicatedStorage.Nevermore (or your preferred parent)

2. Put a uniquely named module in appropriate parent

   • By default ServerScriptService.Modules and all submodules is loaded
   • Modules in folders named "Client" or "Server" will only be available on the Client or Server
   • Modules parented to other modules will not be moved or loadable by name

3. Use the module loader

local require = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

1. Require by name or instance. This will detect auto-cyclic issues

local MyModule = require("MyModule")
local MyOtherModule = require(script.MyOtherModule)

Loading the loader

You will need to require the module. I use this code to require it. You can rename Nevermore, but all the references to it will need to be renamed.

-- Grab the require from the ModuleScript
local require = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

I know some people have legacy loading systems that use _G or _shared. You may easily replace these systems by storing Nevermore in _G or _shared.

_G.myModuleLoader = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

_G.myModuleLoader["MyModule"] -- Loads module

Loading modules

You can then load modules from the default area as such:

Loading by reference

You can still load by reference, like Roblox functions

local require = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

require(script.Parent.MyModule)

Loading by name

Loading by name is the main feature.

local require = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

local MyModule = require("MyModule")

Loading by indexing the require table

You can also load libraries by name. If they aren't there, it will error.

local require = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

local MyModule = require.MyModule

You can also use this syntax if you want

local require = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

local MyModule = require["MyModule"]

By default, modules parented in ServerScriptService.Modules will be loaded.

Cyclic detection

As long as you load all modules through Nevermore's require() function, even if you don't use the require-by-name function, you will recieve cyclic detection of modules being loaded.

Automatic replication of modules

Nevermore contains a special replication model along with its require-by-name system. Modules will are classified as the following types, and behavior changes based upon where you require it

• Server: Any script with a folder parent named "Server" (up to the top parent)
  • Default behavior: Only requirable by name on serves
• Client: Any script with a folder parent named "Server" (up to the top parent)
  • Default behavior: Only requirable by name on client
• Shared: Any other script, these are shared on the client and server
  • Default beahvior: Only requirable by name on the script
• Submodule: Any script with a parent of a submodule (up to the top parent)
  • Default behavior: Not requirable by name at all. This helps keep the submodules from having name-space collisions.

The top parent is the parent passed in with the AddModulesFromParent

Adding new modules to Nevermore

You can also add new repositories to Nevermore, to require by name!

Adding from parent

You can add modules by parent like this:

local require = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

require:AddModulesFromParent(ReplicatedStorage:WaitForChild("ClientModules"))

Note that until you add this, the loader will error if you try to load these modules! Note that this system follows the replication behavior! So server modules will not be available on the client, and submodules will not be loaded. Also, on the server, client/shared modules will be replicated.

Adding individual modules

local require = require(game:GetService("ReplicatedStorage"):WaitForChild("Nevermore"))

require:AddModulesFromParent(ReplicatedStorage:WaitForChild("ClientModules"))