Using Node.js require vs. ES6 import/export

Question

In a project I\'m collaborating on, we have two choices on which module system we can use:

1. Importing modules using require, and exporting using

Answer 1

As of right now ES6 import, export is always compiled to CommonJS, so there is no benefit using one or other. Although usage of ES6 is recommended since it should be advantageous when native support from browsers released. The reason being, you can import partials from one file while with CommonJS you have to require all of the file.

ES6 → import, export default, export

CommonJS → require, module.exports, exports.foo

Below is common usage of those.

ES6 export default

// hello.js
function hello() {
  return 'hello'
}
export default hello

// app.js
import hello from './hello'
hello() // returns hello

---

ES6 export multiple and import multiple

// hello.js
function hello1() {
  return 'hello1'
}
function hello2() {
  return 'hello2'
}
export { hello1, hello2 }

// app.js
import { hello1, hello2 } from './hello'
hello1()  // returns hello1
hello2()  // returns hello2

---

CommonJS module.exports

// hello.js
function hello() {
  return 'hello'
}
module.exports = hello

// app.js
const hello = require('./hello')
hello()   // returns hello

---

CommonJS module.exports multiple

// hello.js
function hello1() {
  return 'hello1'
}
function hello2() {
  return 'hello2'
}
module.exports = {
  hello1,
  hello2
}

// app.js
const hello = require('./hello')
hello.hello1()   // returns hello1
hello.hello2()   // returns hello2