What is the best way to utilize Gulp and Browserify for my JavaScript application?

Question

What is the best way to utilize Gulp and Browserify for my JavaScript application?

Looking to modernize my app with a new build system and I could use some guidance. It seems like I need to shift my approach in a few ways.

Here's the current structure of my app:

/src
  /components
    /Base
      /App.jsx
      /Pages.jsx
      /...
    /Page1
      /Page1Component1.jsx
      /Page1Component2.jsx
      /...
    /Page2
      /Page2Component1.jsx
      /Page2Component2.jsx
      /...
    /...
  /libs
    /bootstrap.js
    /jquery.js
    /react.js
    /...
  /scripts
    /index.js
    /utils.js
  /styles
    /main.css
  /html
    /index.html

I currently have gulp configured to do the following:

Create a new directory /dest for all files
Merge contents of /scripts into main.js and move it to dest
Merge contents of /libs into libs.js and move it to dest
Combine contents of /components, transpile using babel, name it comps.js, and move it to dest
Copy single /html file and one /styles file to dest

This is how the app functions currently:

Launch index.html
The page requests main.js
main.js then fetches libs.js and comps.js
Everything runs smoothly

However, an issue has surfaced: Dependency on global variables. The index.js relies on comps.js and libs.js being globally accessible before calling

ReactDOM.render(<App />...)

, which means ReactDOM and App must be global.

Now, as I try to incorporate something requiring require(), Browserify comes into play. But Browserify wraps the require-dependent code in a manner that appears to eliminate any global context.

It's evident that turning my app into distinct modules instead of concatenated files is necessary. Evading global variables will prove beneficial in the long run. Yet, I'm struggling to implement this transition effectively.

With over 50 React modules, adding module.exports individually to each module seems impractical. Additionally, certain items in /lib are not modular and are designed to operate within the <head> tag, such as Google Charts.

Hence, my queries include:

Where should module exports reside and how can they align with gulp tasks? Should concatenation precede exporting?
How should non-modular libraries be managed?
Is my app structured inadequately, necessitating a complete overhaul?

Appreciate any assistance and apologies for the lengthy question.

javascript node.js module reactjs gulp

Answer 1

Answer №1

First and foremost, your file structure appears to be in good shape.

Secondly, it is highly recommended to adhere to the "one module, one file" guideline. This means incorporating module.exports or export default in each individual file for proper JavaScript syntax. However, this does not imply importing all files into a main file; rather, it emphasizes the importance of modularity.

Thirdly, when organizing your files, focus on modularity by only requiring or importing what is necessary. For instance, if your App utilizes Page1 which in turn uses Page1Component1, your imports should follow this hierarchy:

App -> Page1 -> Page1Component1
             -> Page1Component2
    -> Page2 -> Page2Component1
             -> ...

This approach helps maintain separation of concerns and safeguards against potential errors stemming from nested dependency changes down the line. Moreover, ensure that your build system generates a single file, reserving performance optimizations such as chunking for later adjustments if required.

Additionally, leveraging tools like Browserify or Webpack can prevent global scope pollution, promoting better code encapsulation. While these tools generally enhance project organization, it's worth noting that certain libraries might necessitate explicit exposure settings to accommodate external dependencies.

Lastly, for libraries not obtainable via NPM package management (such as Bootstrap, jQuery, or React), you can include them globally in your HTML using a script tag and configure Browserify or Webpack accordingly to enable seamless integration.

Answer 2

First and foremost, your file structure appears to be in good shape.

Secondly, it is highly recommended to adhere to the "one module, one file" guideline. This means incorporating module.exports or export default in each individual file for proper JavaScript syntax. However, this does not imply importing all files into a main file; rather, it emphasizes the importance of modularity.

Thirdly, when organizing your files, focus on modularity by only requiring or importing what is necessary. For instance, if your App utilizes Page1 which in turn uses Page1Component1, your imports should follow this hierarchy:

App -> Page1 -> Page1Component1
             -> Page1Component2
    -> Page2 -> Page2Component1
             -> ...

This approach helps maintain separation of concerns and safeguards against potential errors stemming from nested dependency changes down the line. Moreover, ensure that your build system generates a single file, reserving performance optimizations such as chunking for later adjustments if required.

Additionally, leveraging tools like Browserify or Webpack can prevent global scope pollution, promoting better code encapsulation. While these tools generally enhance project organization, it's worth noting that certain libraries might necessitate explicit exposure settings to accommodate external dependencies.

Lastly, for libraries not obtainable via NPM package management (such as Bootstrap, jQuery, or React), you can include them globally in your HTML using a script tag and configure Browserify or Webpack accordingly to enable seamless integration.

What is the best way to utilize Gulp and Browserify for my JavaScript application?

Answer №1

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