Understanding the Differences Between ESModule and CommonJS

1. Introduction to Modules in JavaScript

CommonJS: Introduced with Node.js in 2009, CommonJS became the de facto standard for server-side JavaScript modules. It allows developers to require modules and export functionality using module.expo…


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Shunsaku Sugita

1. Introduction to Modules in JavaScript

  • CommonJS: Introduced with Node.js in 2009, CommonJS became the de facto standard for server-side JavaScript modules. It allows developers to require modules and export functionality using module.exports.
  • ESModule: Standardized as part of ECMAScript 2015 (ES6), ESModules were designed to be the native module system for JavaScript. It is supported natively in modern browsers and provides a more elegant and flexible syntax.

2. Syntax Differences

Importing Modules

  • CommonJS: Uses the require() function. 
const module = require('./module');
  • ESModule: Uses the import statement. 
import module from './module';

Exporting Modules

  • CommonJS: Exports are done via module.exports or exports. 
module.exports = function() {
  // Code here
};
  • ESModule: Uses the export statement. 
export default function() {
  // Code here
};

export const functionName = () => {
  // Code here
};

3. Synchronous vs. Asynchronous

  • CommonJS: Synchronous by nature, meaning modules are loaded synchronously, making it more suitable for server-side applications where synchronous operations are common.
  • ESModule: Asynchronous, allowing modules to be loaded asynchronously, which is more suitable for client-side applications where non-blocking operations are critical for performance.

4. Module Scope

  • CommonJS: Each file in CommonJS has its own scope. Variables defined in a module are not accessible outside of it unless explicitly exported.
  • ESModule: Also follows the principle of module scope, but it provides more powerful constructs like named exports, default exports, and re-exporting, which can lead to cleaner and more maintainable code.

5. Usage in Node.js

  • CommonJS: The default module system in Node.js. Even though Node.js started to support ESModules in version 12, CommonJS remains widely used.
  • ESModule: Supported in Node.js with some additional configuration. You need to either set "type": "module" in your package.json or use the .mjs file extension.

6. Browser Support

  • CommonJS: Primarily designed for server-side use in Node.js. Not natively supported in browsers.
  • ESModule: Natively supported in modern browsers, making it the preferred choice for client-side JavaScript development.

7. Interoperability

  • CommonJS: When using ESModules within a CommonJS environment, you may encounter some issues due to differences in how modules are loaded and executed. Tools like esm can help bridge this gap.
  • ESModule: Can import CommonJS modules, but the reverse is not as straightforward. ESModules offer better compatibility and are more future-proof.

8. Performance Considerations

  • CommonJS: Synchronous loading can be a drawback in environments where non-blocking I/O is essential.
  • ESModule: The asynchronous nature of ESModules provides better performance in environments where non-blocking operations are critical, like web browsers.

9. Ecosystem and Tooling

  • CommonJS: A vast majority of the Node.js ecosystem is built around CommonJS. Tools like Webpack and Browserify have made it possible to use CommonJS modules in the browser.
  • ESModule: With the rise of ESModules, modern bundlers like Rollup, Vite, and even Webpack (with configuration) now offer full support for ESModules, making it easier to use them in both client and server-side projects.

10. Conclusion

Choosing between ESModules and CommonJS often comes down to the environment in which you're working. For Node.js applications, especially older ones, CommonJS is still very much in use. However, as the JavaScript ecosystem continues to evolve, ESModules are becoming the standard, particularly for client-side applications and new projects.

By understanding the differences and the appropriate use cases for each module system, developers can make informed decisions that best suit their project's needs.


This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Shunsaku Sugita


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