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

Question

Let\'s say I have a file called app.js. Pretty simple:

var express = require(\'express\');
var app = express.createServer();
app.set(\'views\', __dirname + \         


        

Answer 1

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 () 
{
};