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Why is function wrapper called with module.exports instead of module?

Snipper from source code
Like the answer below says:
https://stackoverflow.com/a/22771432
When JavaScript files are require()d as Node modules, the Node engine runs the module code inside of a wrapper function. That module-wrapping function is invoked with a this set to module.exports
This is what I don't understand, why calling it module.exports rather than just module?
The wrapped function is passed module.exports as this keyword but why don't we just pass module

You can look at the loader code yourself here. Where the this value for a module is set is actually here.
I can't say why they decided it should be the exports object rather than module object. Perhaps because that's what they expect you to assign to and it's certainly more common to reference exports than it is module.
Both the module object and the exports objects are passed as an argument to the wrapper and are in scope for your code so you can reference either one without using this and, in my opinion, it makes for clearer code to use module or module.exports directly rather than using this.
Here's a copy of the relevant code from the above link. The this value is set in the ReflectApply() call near the bottom of this block in the variable named thisValue.
// Run the file contents in the correct scope or sandbox. Expose
// the correct helper variables (require, module, exports) to
// the file.
// Returns exception, if any.
Module.prototype._compile = function(content, filename) {
let moduleURL;
let redirects;
if (policy?.manifest) {
moduleURL = pathToFileURL(filename);
redirects = policy.manifest.getDependencyMapper(moduleURL);
policy.manifest.assertIntegrity(moduleURL, content);
}
maybeCacheSourceMap(filename, content, this);
const compiledWrapper = wrapSafe(filename, content, this);
let inspectorWrapper = null;
if (getOptionValue('--inspect-brk') && process._eval == null) {
if (!resolvedArgv) {
// We enter the repl if we're not given a filename argument.
if (process.argv[1]) {
try {
resolvedArgv = Module._resolveFilename(process.argv[1], null, false);
} catch {
// We only expect this codepath to be reached in the case of a
// preloaded module (it will fail earlier with the main entry)
assert(ArrayIsArray(getOptionValue('--require')));
}
} else {
resolvedArgv = 'repl';
}
}
// Set breakpoint on module start
if (resolvedArgv && !hasPausedEntry && filename === resolvedArgv) {
hasPausedEntry = true;
inspectorWrapper = internalBinding('inspector').callAndPauseOnStart;
}
}
const dirname = path.dirname(filename);
const require = makeRequireFunction(this, redirects);
let result;
const exports = this.exports;
const thisValue = exports;
const module = this;
if (requireDepth === 0) statCache = new SafeMap();
if (inspectorWrapper) {
result = inspectorWrapper(compiledWrapper, thisValue, exports,
require, module, filename, dirname);
} else {
result = ReflectApply(compiledWrapper, thisValue,
[exports, require, module, filename, dirname]);
}
hasLoadedAnyUserCJSModule = true;
if (requireDepth === 0) statCache = null;
return result;
};

Function chaining with function names from list [duplicate]

What is the equivalent code of window["functionName"](arguments) in NodeJS server-side?

If you need such a capability within a module, one hack is to store such module functions in variables within the module and then call them by accessing them from the module object properties. Example:
var x = { }; // better would be to have module create an object
x.f1 = function()
{
console.log('Call me as a string!');
}
Now, within the module, you can call it using the value from a string:
var funcstr = "f1";
x[funcstr]();
I am learning the ropes with Node myself, the above is probably all sorts of wrong :-). Perhaps a marginally better way to write this example would be (for the module m.js):
module.exports =
{
f1: function() { console.log("Call me from a string!"); },
f2: function(str1) { this[str1](); }
}
Now you can:
var m = require('m.js');
m.f2('f1');
Or even just:
var m = require('m.js');
m['f1']();
FWIW!

you're looking for global
Note, however, that in modules nothing is ever exposed to this level

1) If methods are in same js file
define all methods as properties of Handler:
var Handler={};
Handler.application_run = function (name) {
console.log(name)
}
Now call it like this
var somefunc = "application_run";
Handler[somefunc]('jerry codes');
Output: jerry codes
2) If you want to keep methods in a different js file
// Handler.js
module.exports={
application_run: function (name) {
console.log(name)
}
}
Use method defined in Handler.js in different.js:
// different.js
var methods = require('./Handler.js') // path to Handler.js
methods['application_run']('jerry codes')
Output: jerry codes

If you want to call a class level function using this then following is the solution and it worked for me
class Hello {
sayHello(name) {
console.log("Hello " + name)
}
callVariableMethod() {
let method_name = 'sayHello'
this[`${method_name}`]("Zeal Nagar!")
}
}

If You need it in module scope, You can use something like this
var module = require('moduleName');
module['functionName'](arguments);

Honestly, looking at all these answers they seem a bit too much work. I was playing around to look for other ways around this. You can use the eval() command to print a variable as text then call it as a function
I.e
let commands = ['add', 'remove', 'test'];
for (i in commands) {
if (commands[i] == command) {
var c = "proxy_"+command;
eval(c)(proxy);
}
}
eval(string)(arg1, arg2);
This example script would execute the function proxy_test(proxy)

You know, the OP's code inspired me to try this:
global.test = function(inVal){
console.log(inVal);
}
global['test']('3 is the value')
But now that I think about it, it's no better than #Ravi' s answer.

I use this for node, see if this approach works for you
var _ = require('lodash');
var fnA1 = require('functions/fnA1');
var fnA2 = require('functions/fnA2');
module.exports = {
run: function(fnName, options, callback) {
'use strict';
var nameSpace = fnName.toString().split('.');
// if function name contains namespace, resolve that first before calling
if (nameSpace.length > 1) {
var resolvedFnName = this;
_.forEach(nameSpace, function(name){
resolvedFnName = resolvedFnName[name];
});
resolvedFnName(options, callback);
} else {
this[fnName](options, callback);
}
},
fnA1: fnA1,
fnA2: fnA2
};
call this like
importVariable.run('fnA1.subfunction', data, function(err, result){
if (err) {return callback(err);}
return callback(null, result);
});

That is not specific to the window object. In JavaScript any property of the object can be accessed this way. For example,
var test = {
prop1 : true
};
console.log(test.prop1); // true
console.log(test["prop1"]); // also true
Read more here : https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript/Guide/Working_with_Objects

'TypeError: is not a function' in Node.js

I'm getting the error while running the following code in Node.js
var assert = require('assert');
var request = require('request');
var index = require('./index');
it('verify javascript function', function(done) {
var v2 = index.AddNumbers(5, 6);
assert.equal(11, v2);
done();
});
The index.js file contain the following code:
function AddNumbers(a,b){
return a+b;
}
What am I doing wrong?

This happened to me many times because of circular dependency, check if you have 2 classes that are requiring each other, remove one of them from requiring the other and the issue should be solved

With NodeJS modules, to make something public, you have to export it. Add this to the end of index.js:
module.exports.AddNumbers = AddNumbers;
(That's using the old CommonJS modules. For ESM, it would be export AddNumbers;)
Here it is running on my machine:
$ cat index.js
function AddNumbers(a,b){
return a+b;
}
module.exports.AddNumbers = AddNumbers;
$ cat example.js
var index = require('./index');
var v2 = index.AddNumbers(5,6);
console.log(v2);
$ node example.js
11

I'm fairly a beginner at Node JS so I managed to get this error by importing a function like so:
const { functionName } = require('./function')
instead of like so:
const functionName = require('./function')
Editing my post to add an explanation since I've learned more node since I wrote it. If a module exports an object containing multiple functions functions like so:
module.exports = { functionName, otherFunction }
Then the function has to be deconstructed out of the object during the import, as in the first code snippet. If the module exports a single function or a default function, like so:
module.exports = functionName
Then tt must be imported directly, as in the second code snippet.

If you need to expose a specific component, function or a variable to public. You have to exports those components using JavaScript modules.
let add = (a,b)=>{
return ( a+b);
}
module.exports.add=add;
or if you want to expose multiple functions, you can do as follows.
let add = (a,b)=>{
return (a+b);
}
let subtract = (a, b)=>{
return (a-b);
}
module.exports={
add : add,
subtract : subtract
};

This is happening because two files are referencing each other i.e You are calling function (s) from file A in file B and vice versa which is called Circular Dependency.

Your "AddNumbers" function in the "index.js" file should be as follows,
function AddNumbers(a,b){
var addition = function(a, b){
return (a + b) ;
};
module.exports = {
additionResult: addition
};
}
And you need to call it in your "Node.js" file as follows
var assert = require('assert');
var request = require('request');
var index = require('./index');
it('verify javascript function', function(done) {
var v2 = index.additionResult(5, 6);
assert.equal(11, v2);
done();
});
This should work. Please note that you call the function by whatever the token name you exported the return value by (I use a different name here just for clarity). Almost everybody uses the same name as the function name so there are no confusion. Also in ES6, if you use the same name you can export as just,
module.exports = {
addition
};
instead of,
module.exports = {
addition: addition
};
since you use the same name. It is an ES6 feature.

I ran into the same problem while trying to follow a Nodejs tutorial by w3schools.
I copied the following code from them:
exports.myDateTime = function () {
return Date();
};
That, however, wouldn't work for me. What resolved the problem for me was adding module. before the exports keyword like this:
module.exports.myDateTime = function () {
return Date();
};

The most correct answer was from #shimi_tap. I want to reply it as comment, but doesn't have enough reputation, so I am gonna answer it using a simple example, like in this case below:
File A has 3 functions to process database activity: function
addDB, updateDB, and delData;
File B has 2 functions to process User activity on smartphone:
function addHistory, and editHistory;
Function updateDB in file A is calling function editHis in file B, and function editHistory is calling function updateDB in file A. This is what we called circular-dependency. And we need to prevent it by only giving output of state from editHistory and the rest will be processed inside file A.
//ORIGINAL FUNCTIONS which caused CIRCULAR DEPENDENCY
function updateDB() {
//process update function here
//call function in fileB
const history = require("fileB.js");
await history.editHistory(data).then((output) => {
if(output["message"] === "success"){
response = {
state: 1,
message: "success",
};
}
});
return response;
}
//THIS is the WRONG ONE
function editHistory() {
//process function to edit History here
//call function in fileA
const file = require("fileA.js");
await file.updateDB(data).then((output) => { //You should not call it here
if(output["message"] === "success") {
output = {
state: 1,
message: "success",
};
}
});
return output;
}
//==================================================//
//THE FIX
function updateDB() {
//process function here
const history = require("fileB.js");
await history.editHistory(data).then((output) => {
if(output["message"] === "success"){
await updateDB(data).then((output) => {
response = {
state: 1,
message: "success",
};
});
} else {
log("Error");
}
});
return response;
}
function editHistory() {
//process function to edit History here
// No more calling to function inside the file A
output = {
state: 1,
message: "success",
};
return output;
}

https://medium.com/visual-development/how-to-fix-nasty-circular-dependency-issues-once-and-for-all-in-javascript-typescript-a04c987cf0de
this post visualizes the circular dependency injection
like a child or nested file tried to import parent or top-level file
repo.js
service.js
there are 2 files
service.js uses repo.js file by importing
it works
but check in repo.js that it tried to import service.js file
it shows circular dependency injection warning

In my case the problem was the missing semicolon at the end of the lines.
const codec = JSONCodec()
(async () => {
for await (const message of subscription) {
const payload = codec.decode(message.data)
stompServer.send('/topic/update-event', {}, payload)
}
})()
This produced the following error:
TypeError: JSONCodec(...) is not a function
I was so used to writing code without semicolons, which led me to this problem with the bare NodeJs. As soon as I had put the semicolons, the problem disappeared.

A simple way I debugged this (After about 2 days of troubleshooting) was to actually see why 'x' is not a function. Basically, console.log(x) to see the actual object returned. Turned out I was conflicting x with another declared variable (happens especially when you use axios.res and req,res args.

Require the other file in function level.
fileOne.js
function main() {
const fileTwo = require('./fileTwo');
console.log("hello from file one");
}
module.exports = main;
main();
fileTwo.js
function main() {
const fileOne = require('./fileOne');
console.log("hello from file two");
}
module.exports = main;
main();
Now execute > node fileOne.js
Output:
hello from file two
hello from file one

One silly mistake I did was while exporting was:
module.exports = [module_name_1, module_name_2, ..., module_name_n]
The right way is:
module.exports = {module_name_1, module_name_2, ..., module_name_n}

Equivalent of "window["functionName"](arguments)" in server-side

What is the equivalent code of window["functionName"](arguments) in NodeJS server-side?

If you need such a capability within a module, one hack is to store such module functions in variables within the module and then call them by accessing them from the module object properties. Example:
var x = { }; // better would be to have module create an object
x.f1 = function()
{
console.log('Call me as a string!');
}
Now, within the module, you can call it using the value from a string:
var funcstr = "f1";
x[funcstr]();
I am learning the ropes with Node myself, the above is probably all sorts of wrong :-). Perhaps a marginally better way to write this example would be (for the module m.js):
module.exports =
{
f1: function() { console.log("Call me from a string!"); },
f2: function(str1) { this[str1](); }
}
Now you can:
var m = require('m.js');
m.f2('f1');
Or even just:
var m = require('m.js');
m['f1']();
FWIW!

you're looking for global
Note, however, that in modules nothing is ever exposed to this level

1) If methods are in same js file
define all methods as properties of Handler:
var Handler={};
Handler.application_run = function (name) {
console.log(name)
}
Now call it like this
var somefunc = "application_run";
Handler[somefunc]('jerry codes');
Output: jerry codes
2) If you want to keep methods in a different js file
// Handler.js
module.exports={
application_run: function (name) {
console.log(name)
}
}
Use method defined in Handler.js in different.js:
// different.js
var methods = require('./Handler.js') // path to Handler.js
methods['application_run']('jerry codes')
Output: jerry codes

If you want to call a class level function using this then following is the solution and it worked for me
class Hello {
sayHello(name) {
console.log("Hello " + name)
}
callVariableMethod() {
let method_name = 'sayHello'
this[`${method_name}`]("Zeal Nagar!")
}
}

If You need it in module scope, You can use something like this
var module = require('moduleName');
module['functionName'](arguments);

Honestly, looking at all these answers they seem a bit too much work. I was playing around to look for other ways around this. You can use the eval() command to print a variable as text then call it as a function
I.e
let commands = ['add', 'remove', 'test'];
for (i in commands) {
if (commands[i] == command) {
var c = "proxy_"+command;
eval(c)(proxy);
}
}
eval(string)(arg1, arg2);
This example script would execute the function proxy_test(proxy)

You know, the OP's code inspired me to try this:
global.test = function(inVal){
console.log(inVal);
}
global['test']('3 is the value')
But now that I think about it, it's no better than #Ravi' s answer.

I use this for node, see if this approach works for you
var _ = require('lodash');
var fnA1 = require('functions/fnA1');
var fnA2 = require('functions/fnA2');
module.exports = {
run: function(fnName, options, callback) {
'use strict';
var nameSpace = fnName.toString().split('.');
// if function name contains namespace, resolve that first before calling
if (nameSpace.length > 1) {
var resolvedFnName = this;
_.forEach(nameSpace, function(name){
resolvedFnName = resolvedFnName[name];
});
resolvedFnName(options, callback);
} else {
this[fnName](options, callback);
}
},
fnA1: fnA1,
fnA2: fnA2
};
call this like
importVariable.run('fnA1.subfunction', data, function(err, result){
if (err) {return callback(err);}
return callback(null, result);
});

That is not specific to the window object. In JavaScript any property of the object can be accessed this way. For example,
var test = {
prop1 : true
};
console.log(test.prop1); // true
console.log(test["prop1"]); // also true
Read more here : https://developer.mozilla.org/en/JavaScript/Guide/Working_with_Objects

In Node.js, how do I "include" functions from my other files?

Let's say I have a file called app.js. Pretty simple:
var express = require('express');
var app = express.createServer();
app.set('views', __dirname + '/views');
app.set('view engine', 'ejs');
app.get('/', function(req, res){
res.render('index', {locals: {
title: 'NowJS + Express Example'
}});
});
app.listen(8080);
What if I have a functions inside "tools.js". How would I import them to use in apps.js?
Or...am I supposed to turn "tools" into a module, and then require it? << seems hard, I rather do the basic import of the tools.js file.

You can require any js file, you just need to declare what you want to expose.
// tools.js
// ========
module.exports = {
foo: function () {
// whatever
},
bar: function () {
// whatever
}
};
var zemba = function () {
}
And in your app file:
// app.js
// ======
var tools = require('./tools');
console.log(typeof tools.foo); // => 'function'
console.log(typeof tools.bar); // => 'function'
console.log(typeof tools.zemba); // => undefined

If, despite all the other answers, you still want to traditionally include a file in a node.js source file, you can use this:
var fs = require('fs');
// file is included here:
eval(fs.readFileSync('tools.js')+'');
The empty string concatenation +'' is necessary to get the file content as a string and not an object (you can also use .toString() if you prefer).
The eval() can't be used inside a function and must be called inside the global scope otherwise no functions or variables will be accessible (i.e. you can't create a include() utility function or something like that).
Please note that in most cases this is bad practice and you should instead write a module. However, there are rare situations, where pollution of your local context/namespace is what you really want.
Update 2015-08-06
Please also note this won't work with "use strict"; (when you are in "strict mode") because functions and variables defined in the "imported" file can't be accessed by the code that does the import. Strict mode enforces some rules defined by newer versions of the language standard. This may be another reason to avoid the solution described here.

You need no new functions nor new modules.
You simply need to execute the module you're calling if you don't want to use namespace.
in tools.js
module.exports = function() {
this.sum = function(a,b) { return a+b };
this.multiply = function(a,b) { return a*b };
//etc
}
in app.js
or in any other .js like myController.js :
instead of
var tools = require('tools.js') which force us to use a namespace and call tools like tools.sum(1,2);
we can simply call
require('tools.js')();
and then
sum(1,2);
in my case I have a file with controllers ctrls.js
module.exports = function() {
this.Categories = require('categories.js');
}
and I can use Categories in every context as public class after require('ctrls.js')()

Create two js files
// File cal.js
module.exports = {
sum: function(a,b) {
return a+b
},
multiply: function(a,b) {
return a*b
}
};
Main js file
// File app.js
var tools = require("./cal.js");
var value = tools.sum(10,20);
console.log("Value: "+value);
Console Output
Value: 30

create two files e.g app.js and tools.js
app.js
const tools= require("./tools.js")
var x = tools.add(4,2) ;
var y = tools.subtract(4,2);
console.log(x);
console.log(y);
tools.js
const add = function(x, y){
return x+y;
}
const subtract = function(x, y){
return x-y;
}
module.exports ={
add,subtract
}
output
6
2

Here is a plain and simple explanation:
Server.js content:
// Include the public functions from 'helpers.js'
var helpers = require('./helpers');
// Let's assume this is the data which comes from the database or somewhere else
var databaseName = 'Walter';
var databaseSurname = 'Heisenberg';
// Use the function from 'helpers.js' in the main file, which is server.js
var fullname = helpers.concatenateNames(databaseName, databaseSurname);
Helpers.js content:
// 'module.exports' is a node.JS specific feature, it does not work with regular JavaScript
module.exports =
{
// This is the function which will be called in the main file, which is server.js
// The parameters 'name' and 'surname' will be provided inside the function
// when the function is called in the main file.
// Example: concatenameNames('John,'Doe');
concatenateNames: function (name, surname)
{
var wholeName = name + " " + surname;
return wholeName;
},
sampleFunctionTwo: function ()
{
}
};
// Private variables and functions which will not be accessible outside this file
var privateFunction = function ()
{
};

I was also looking for a NodeJS 'include' function and I checked the solution proposed by Udo G - see message https://stackoverflow.com/a/8744519/2979590. His code doesn't work with my included JS files.
Finally I solved the problem like that:
var fs = require("fs");
function read(f) {
return fs.readFileSync(f).toString();
}
function include(f) {
eval.apply(global, [read(f)]);
}
include('somefile_with_some_declarations.js');
Sure, that helps.

Create two JavaScript files. E.g. import_functions.js and main.js
1.) import_functions.js
// Declaration --------------------------------------
module.exports =
{
add,
subtract
// ...
}
// Implementation ----------------------------------
function add(x, y)
{
return x + y;
}
function subtract(x, y)
{
return x - y;
}
// ...
2.) main.js
// include ---------------------------------------
const sf= require("./import_functions.js")
// use -------------------------------------------
var x = sf.add(4,2);
console.log(x);
var y = sf.subtract(4,2);
console.log(y);
output
6
2

The vm module in Node.js provides the ability to execute JavaScript code within the current context (including global object). See http://nodejs.org/docs/latest/api/vm.html#vm_vm_runinthiscontext_code_filename
Note that, as of today, there's a bug in the vm module that prevenst runInThisContext from doing the right when invoked from a new context. This only matters if your main program executes code within a new context and then that code calls runInThisContext. See https://github.com/joyent/node/issues/898
Sadly, the with(global) approach that Fernando suggested doesn't work for named functions like "function foo() {}"
In short, here's an include() function that works for me:
function include(path) {
var code = fs.readFileSync(path, 'utf-8');
vm.runInThisContext(code, path);
}

say we wants to call function ping() and add(30,20) which is in lib.js file
from main.js
main.js
lib = require("./lib.js")
output = lib.ping();
console.log(output);
//Passing Parameters
console.log("Sum of A and B = " + lib.add(20,30))
lib.js
this.ping=function ()
{
return "Ping Success"
}
//Functions with parameters
this.add=function(a,b)
{
return a+b
}

Udo G. said:
The eval() can't be used inside a function and must be called inside
the global scope otherwise no functions or variables will be
accessible (i.e. you can't create a include() utility function or
something like that).
He's right, but there's a way to affect the global scope from a function. Improving his example:
function include(file_) {
with (global) {
eval(fs.readFileSync(file_) + '');
};
};
include('somefile_with_some_declarations.js');
// the declarations are now accessible here.
Hope, that helps.

app.js
let { func_name } = require('path_to_tools.js');
func_name(); //function calling
tools.js
let func_name = function() {
...
//function body
...
};
module.exports = { func_name };

It worked with me like the following....
Lib1.js
//Any other private code here
// Code you want to export
exports.function1 = function(params) {.......};
exports.function2 = function(params) {.......};
// Again any private code
now in the Main.js file you need to include Lib1.js
var mylib = requires('lib1.js');
mylib.function1(params);
mylib.function2(params);
Please remember to put the Lib1.js in node_modules folder.

Another way to do this in my opinion, is to execute everything in the lib file when you call require() function using (function(/* things here */){})(); doing this will make all these functions global scope, exactly like the eval() solution
src/lib.js
(function () {
funcOne = function() {
console.log('mlt funcOne here');
}
funcThree = function(firstName) {
console.log(firstName, 'calls funcThree here');
}
name = "Mulatinho";
myobject = {
title: 'Node.JS is cool',
funcFour: function() {
return console.log('internal funcFour() called here');
}
}
})();
And then in your main code you can call your functions by name like:
main.js
require('./src/lib')
funcOne();
funcThree('Alex');
console.log(name);
console.log(myobject);
console.log(myobject.funcFour());
Will make this output
bash-3.2$ node -v
v7.2.1
bash-3.2$ node main.js
mlt funcOne here
Alex calls funcThree here
Mulatinho
{ title: 'Node.JS is cool', funcFour: [Function: funcFour] }
internal funcFour() called here
undefined
Pay atention to the undefined when you call my object.funcFour(), it will be the same if you load with eval(). Hope it helps :)

You can put your functions in global variables, but it's better practice to just turn your tools script into a module. It's really not too hard – just attach your public API to the exports object. Take a look at Understanding Node.js' exports module for some more detail.

I just want to add, in case you need just certain functions imported from your tools.js, then you can use a destructuring assignment which is supported in node.js since version 6.4 - see node.green.
Example:
(both files are in the same folder)
tools.js
module.exports = {
sum: function(a,b) {
return a + b;
},
isEven: function(a) {
return a % 2 == 0;
}
};
main.js
const { isEven } = require('./tools.js');
console.log(isEven(10));
output: true
This also avoids that you assign those functions as properties of another object as its the case in the following (common) assignment:
const tools = require('./tools.js');
where you need to call tools.isEven(10).
NOTE:
Don't forget to prefix your file name with the correct path - even if both files are in the same folder, you need to prefix with ./
From Node.js docs:
Without a leading '/', './', or '../' to indicate a file, the module
must either be a core module or is loaded from a node_modules folder.

Include file and run it in given (non-global) context
fileToInclude.js
define({
"data": "XYZ"
});
main.js
var fs = require("fs");
var vm = require("vm");
function include(path, context) {
var code = fs.readFileSync(path, 'utf-8');
vm.runInContext(code, vm.createContext(context));
}
// Include file
var customContext = {
"define": function (data) {
console.log(data);
}
};
include('./fileToInclude.js', customContext);

Using the ESM module system:
a.js:
export default function foo() {};
export function bar() {};
b.js:
import foo, {bar} from './a.js';

This is the best way i have created so far.
var fs = require('fs'),
includedFiles_ = {};
global.include = function (fileName) {
var sys = require('sys');
sys.puts('Loading file: ' + fileName);
var ev = require(fileName);
for (var prop in ev) {
global[prop] = ev[prop];
}
includedFiles_[fileName] = true;
};
global.includeOnce = function (fileName) {
if (!includedFiles_[fileName]) {
include(fileName);
}
};
global.includeFolderOnce = function (folder) {
var file, fileName,
sys = require('sys'),
files = fs.readdirSync(folder);
var getFileName = function(str) {
var splited = str.split('.');
splited.pop();
return splited.join('.');
},
getExtension = function(str) {
var splited = str.split('.');
return splited[splited.length - 1];
};
for (var i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
file = files[i];
if (getExtension(file) === 'js') {
fileName = getFileName(file);
try {
includeOnce(folder + '/' + file);
} catch (err) {
// if (ext.vars) {
// console.log(ext.vars.dump(err));
// } else {
sys.puts(err);
// }
}
}
}
};
includeFolderOnce('./extensions');
includeOnce('./bin/Lara.js');
var lara = new Lara();
You still need to inform what you want to export
includeOnce('./bin/WebServer.js');
function Lara() {
this.webServer = new WebServer();
this.webServer.start();
}
Lara.prototype.webServer = null;
module.exports.Lara = Lara;

You can simple just require('./filename').
Eg.
// file: index.js
var express = require('express');
var app = express();
var child = require('./child');
app.use('/child', child);
app.get('/', function (req, res) {
res.send('parent');
});
app.listen(process.env.PORT, function () {
console.log('Example app listening on port '+process.env.PORT+'!');
});
// file: child.js
var express = require('express'),
child = express.Router();
console.log('child');
child.get('/child', function(req, res){
res.send('Child2');
});
child.get('/', function(req, res){
res.send('Child');
});
module.exports = child;
Please note that:
you can't listen PORT on the child file, only parent express module has PORT listener
Child is using 'Router', not parent Express moudle.

Node works based on commonjs modules and more recently, esm modules. Basically, you should create modules in separated .js files and make use of imports/exports (module.exports and require).
Javascript on the browser works differently, based on scope. There is the global scope, and through clojures (functions inside other functions) you have private scopes.
So,in node, export functions and objects that you will consume in other modules.

The cleanest way IMO is the following, In tools.js:
function A(){
.
.
.
}
function B(){
.
.
.
}
module.exports = {
A,
B
}
Then, in app.js, just require the tools.js as following: const tools = require("tools");

I was as well searching for an option to include code without writing modules, resp. use the same tested standalone sources from a different project for a Node.js service - and jmparattes answer did it for me.
The benefit is, you don't pollute the namespace, I don't have trouble with "use strict"; and it works well.
Here a full sample:
Script to load - /lib/foo.js
"use strict";
(function(){
var Foo = function(e){
this.foo = e;
}
Foo.prototype.x = 1;
return Foo;
}())
SampleModule - index.js
"use strict";
const fs = require('fs');
const path = require('path');
var SampleModule = module.exports = {
instAFoo: function(){
var Foo = eval.apply(
this, [fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, '/lib/foo.js')).toString()]
);
var instance = new Foo('bar');
console.log(instance.foo); // 'bar'
console.log(instance.x); // '1'
}
}
Hope this was helpfull somehow.

Like you are having a file abc.txt and many more?
Create 2 files: fileread.js and fetchingfile.js, then in fileread.js write this code:
function fileread(filename) {
var contents= fs.readFileSync(filename);
return contents;
}
var fs = require("fs"); // file system
//var data = fileread("abc.txt");
module.exports.fileread = fileread;
//data.say();
//console.log(data.toString());
}
In fetchingfile.js write this code:
function myerror(){
console.log("Hey need some help");
console.log("type file=abc.txt");
}
var ags = require("minimist")(process.argv.slice(2), { string: "file" });
if(ags.help || !ags.file) {
myerror();
process.exit(1);
}
var hello = require("./fileread.js");
var data = hello.fileread(ags.file); // importing module here
console.log(data.toString());
Now, in a terminal:
$ node fetchingfile.js --file=abc.txt
You are passing the file name as an argument, moreover include all files in readfile.js instead of passing it.
Thanks

Another method when using node.js and express.js framework
var f1 = function(){
console.log("f1");
}
var f2 = function(){
console.log("f2");
}
module.exports = {
f1 : f1,
f2 : f2
}
store this in a js file named s and in the folder statics
Now to use the function
var s = require('../statics/s');
s.f1();
s.f2();

To turn "tools" into a module, I don't see hard at all. Despite all the other answers I would still recommend use of module.exports:
//util.js
module.exports = {
myFunction: function () {
// your logic in here
let message = "I am message from myFunction";
return message;
}
}
Now we need to assign this exports to global scope (in your app|index|server.js )
var util = require('./util');
Now you can refer and call function as:
//util.myFunction();
console.log(util.myFunction()); // prints in console :I am message from myFunction

To interactively test the module ./test.js in a Unix environment, something like this could be used:
>> node -e "eval(''+require('fs').readFileSync('./test.js'))" -i
...

Use:
var mymodule = require("./tools.js")
app.js:
module.exports.<your function> = function () {
<what should the function do>
}