jsinc

jsinc - node.js module

This module allows loading of javascript files that made for the browser as modules for node.js;

by Shimon Doodkin

license: MIT

syntax:

 Object context = jsinc( String file1, ... , String fileN, Object context, Function callback )

• the last argument is an optional context object.
• the function returns the resulting global object, after running the script(s)
• basically it loades the javascript files, adds a window object, executes the script and returns to you the global object with all of the functions and variables that ware added by the script.

example:

https://github.com/shimondoodkin/googlediff

Getting started

install from npm like:

npm install jsinc

To get started do like this:

var jsinc=require('jsinc');
var date=jsinc( 'date.js' );
console.log(date); // see what's there

Pinpoint the wanted functions out:

// linq example:
// download linq from http://codeplex.com/jslinq
var jsinc   = require('jsinc');
var jslinq  = jsinc(__dirname+'/deps/jslinq/scripts/JSLINQ.js').window.JSLINQ; // wanted function

Advanced futures

Read multiple files at once:

var jsinc = require('jsinc');
var date = jsinc( 'date.js', 'date2.js' );

Custom context:

if the last argument is an object then it is used as context.

// if you need XMLHttpRequest for example, you can add it to the sand box like:
// install xmlhttp like: npm install xmlhttprequest
var date=jsinc( 'date.js',{XMLHttpRequest:require('xmlhttprequest')} );


// you can do even staff like this (if you know what are you doing):
var date=jsinc('date.js',this);
// the above does a "mixin" but may have problem (nodejs bug)
// if this module exports getters,setter, and nonenumeratable

// read multiple files in steps by reusing the context 
var jsinc = require('jsinc');
var context = jsinc( 'date.js' );
    context = jsinc( 'date2.js',context );

Callback and Async file reading and loading

var app={}; jsinc( 'date.js',{XMLHttpRequest:require('xmlhttprequest')}, function (date){ app.date=date; }); // if you add a callback function, the file will be read asynchronously.

Other Ideas:

• Use it for modules that are shared with the browser
• Use it as a simple way to write simple modules that do not require to export the module's function
• To bind or to rewrite the function after they loaded
• Put a callback function in the context object and call it
• Put jsinc in the context object, as a way for the script load other scripts, binded with the context object filled in.
• I use this module to do quick migration of browser libs to node.js