Typescript module, require external node_modules

Question

I need to use a simple node_module inside a simple typescript file, but it seems that the compiler doesn't want to get it.

Here's my simple ts file :

import glob = require('glob');
console.log(glob);

And I've got this error :

[13:51:11] Compiling TypeScript files using tsc version 1.5.0
[13:51:12] [tsc] > F:/SkeletonProject/boot/ts/Boot.ts(4,23): error TS2307: Cannot find external module 'glob'.
[13:51:12] Failed to compile TypeScript: Error: tsc command has exited with code:2

events.js:72
        throw er; // Unhandled 'error' event
              ^
Error: Failed to compile: tsc command has exited with code:2

npm ERR! [email protected] start: `node compile && node ./boot/js/Boot.js`
npm ERR! Exit status 8
npm ERR!
npm ERR! Failed at the [email protected] start script.

However, when I use a simple declaration in this same script, it works :

var x = 0;
console.log(x); // prints  0 after typescript compilation

What am I doing wrong in this case ?

EDIT:

Here's my gulp file :

var gulp = require('gulp');
var typescript = require('gulp-tsc');


gulp.task('compileApp', ['compileBoot'], function () {
    return gulp.src(['app/src/**/*.ts'])
        .pipe(typescript())
        .pipe(gulp.dest('app/dist/'))
});

gulp.task('compileBoot', function () {
    return gulp.src(['boot/ts/*.ts'])
        .pipe(typescript({
            module:'commonjs'
        }))
        .pipe(gulp.dest('boot/js/'))
});

gulp.start('compileApp');

Thanks for advance

Pretty sure you should simply write import glob or import 'glob' — Andreas Louv
– Andreas Louv, Commented May 15, 2015 at 12:00
import glob; throw me an error in IDE, and how should I refer to my library when using import 'glob' ? Thanks for your answer — mfrachet
– mfrachet, Commented May 15, 2015 at 12:02
It should be var glob = require('glob'); Y do you use import also? — Abdul Hamid
– Abdul Hamid, Commented May 15, 2015 at 12:19
Do you have correct --module option specified for the typescript compiler? For node it should be --module commonjs — Stubb0rn
– Stubb0rn, Commented May 15, 2015 at 12:56

Fenton · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-15 13:29:35Z

2

You are using the correct syntax:

import glob = require('glob');

But the error: Cannot find external module 'glob' is pointing out that you are using a special case.

By default, the compiler is looking for glob.ts, but in your case you are using a node module, not a module that you have written. For this reason, the glob module will need special treatment...

If glob is a plain JavaScript module, you can add a file named glob.d.ts with type information that described the module.

glob.d.ts

declare module "glob" {
    export class Example {
        doIt(): string;
    }
}

app.ts

import glob = require('glob');

var x = new glob.Example();

Some Node modules already include the .d.ts in the package, in other cases you can grab it from Definitely Typed.

answered May 15, 2015 at 13:29

Fenton

253k74 gold badges404 silver badges414 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

2 Comments

mfrachet Over a year ago

It's really hard to manage and declare every modules with TypeScript so :-o . Is the Definitely Typed source really up to date and sure ? Thanks for your reply

Fenton Over a year ago

Definitely Typed is community maintained and is currently receiving updates daily: github.com/borisyankov/DefinitelyTyped/commits/master

Abdul Hamid · Accepted Answer · 2015-05-15 12:24:59Z

-3

Here is the error with your code

    import glob = require('glob');

Because in node.js import is not a reserved keyword. If you require any module in your application, you simply require it using the statement

    var glob = require('glob');

Once done you can then use

    console.log(glob);

To print the value of glob.Replacing import will hopefully do the job for you.

answered May 15, 2015 at 12:24

Abdul Hamid

3,2523 gold badges27 silver badges31 bronze badges

2 Comments

mfrachet Over a year ago

I m in a typescript file

Abdul Hamid Over a year ago

please take the reference of this stackoverflow question in that case stackoverflow.com/questions/12958479/…

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Typescript module, require external node_modules

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

2 Comments

2 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Linked

Related