How to write multiline javascript code to file with node?

Question

I generate some jS code on the front end and i want to write it to a js file by making an api call to a node server and i'm having some trouble with 1) ensuring the code isnt written to file as a literal string and 2) ensuring that multiple lines are preserved.

Here's my code for how ive attempted this:

//client
var bar = "mongolia"; //this value changes hence pulling it into variable
var jsCode = "function(){ \n
baz = foo(" + bar + "); \n
   return baz*2;"
var data = {
    code: jsCode
 }
 $http.post('api/code', data).success(function(savedCode){
   console.log("successful and the saved code is", savedCode);
 }); 
//server

'use strict';

var jf = require('jsonfile'),
    util = require('util');

var codeFile = './code/js/autoGen.js';

exports.addCode = function(req, res) {
  var newCode = req.body.code;
    //write to file
  return jf.writeFile(codeFile, newCode, function(err) {
      if(!err) {
        return res.json({newCode: newCode});          
      }
      else {
        return res.send(err);
      }
    });
};

When i run this, I get a syntax error in my jsCode definition.

A syntax error where? Also, why are you using jsonfile? Can't you just use var fs = require('fs'); fs.writeFile(//...? — verybadalloc
– verybadalloc, Commented Dec 15, 2013 at 21:38
Also, you should remove all those returns in your exports.addCode — verybadalloc
– verybadalloc, Commented Dec 15, 2013 at 21:43
syntax error in my jsCode definition--> var jsCode = ..., also no real reason for using jsonfile i was using it in a difft project and converted it...any idea why the core function on the client isn't working though? — algorithmicCoder
– algorithmicCoder, Commented Dec 15, 2013 at 21:50

punund · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-15 22:28:35Z

2

JavaScript syntax for multiline strings is as follows:

var jsCode = "function(){ \
baz = foo(" + bar + "); \
   return baz*2;"

answered Dec 15, 2013 at 22:28

punund

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algorithmicCoder · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-15 22:16:55Z

0

I got around both issues by

1) Using coffeescript for multiline strings and the #{} interpolation pattern for including the variable portions

2) Using fs for writing to file (Thanks for the tip @verybadalloc)

answered Dec 15, 2013 at 22:16

algorithmicCoder

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1 Comment

verybadalloc Over a year ago

You don't need coffeescript. Check out @punund's answer

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