writing a simple helper module

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  • The plan is to write a module and include it in custom build with JSMODULESOURCES to have all nice tools in place without wasting time on load.

    Starting with a time helper as sample, I was fiddling around and have no clue how to write a working module. Any suggestions how to make this work?

    // module code  jstools.js
    
    var jstools = function (){};
    
    jstools.prototype.setTimeByUrl = function(url,tz,callback) {
    	require('http').get(url, function(res){
        	var date = new Date(res.headers.Date);
        	if (date > 0 ) {
          		setTime(date/1000);
          		E.setTimeZone(tz);
          		error = null;
        	} else {
          		error = 'no date';
      		}
      		if (callback)
      			callback(error);
    	});
    };
    
    exports = jstools;
    
    
    // test code 
    var jstools = require('jstools');
    
    setTimeout(function(){
      jstools.setTimeByUrl('http://www.espruin­o.com',1,function(e){console.log(e);});
    },1000);
    
    
    //output 
    Uncaught Error: Function "setTimeByUrl" not found!
     at line 1 col 9
    jstools.setTimeByUrl('http://www.espruin­o.com',1,function(e)...
            ^
    in function called from system
     
    
  • Hmm first guess is you need to create an instance of your jstools "class" with new.

    var JsTools = require('jstools');
    
    var jt = new JsTools();
    
    setTimeout(function() {
        jt.setTimeByUrl('http://www.espruino.com­', 1, console.log);
    }, 1000);
    

    Not tested... but should work :)

  • thanks for your suggestion, this is the output

    Uncaught Error: Function "setTimeByUrl" not found!
    at line 1 col 4
    jt.setTimeByUrl('http://www.espruino.com', 1, console.log);
    ^
    in function called from system

  • Oh i made a mistake.. try to change the require statement to this..

    var JsTools = require('./jstools');
    

    If the module is in the same directory of course. Important point is to provide the path (absolut or relative) to the module.

  • Thanks, just got it.

    just export each function and that's it.

    // module jtools.js
    exports.setTimeByUrl = function(url,tz,callback) {
    	require('http').get(url, function(res){
        	var date = new Date(res.headers.Date);
        	if (date > 0 ) {
          		setTime(date/1000);
          		E.setTimeZone(tz);
          		error = null;
        	} else {
          		error = 'no date';
      		}
      		if (callback)
      			callback(error);
            });
    };
    
    // test module jtools.js
    var jt = require('jstools');
    jt.setTimeByUrl('http://www.espruino.com­',1,function(e){console.log(e);});
    
    

    and no more erros :)

  • Exporting each function removes the need to instantiate with new but should not change the mistake i made with the require. Very Strange.. but glad it works now :)

  • The require('jstools') works because working with the WebIDE and store the jstools.js file in the module directory of my working project.

  • Ah this explains it.. i develop my modules in a IDE and serve them via a server on localhost.
    Then i require them via URL when i want to test them in the WebIDE.

  • There's some info on making modules here: http://www.espruino.com/Writing+Modules

    It's for the website, but that way of working can go equally well when trying to build a module in.

    But yes, the main thing is anything you want to access directly should just be exports.xyz = ....

    One other thing to note: If you're trying to do arrays in a built-in module, try and do them inside a function where possible:

    exports.getMyArray = function() { return [....] }; stores the function text in flash until it's executes, but exports.myArray = [....]; will put the array in RAM as soon as you first call require(...) and will keep it there

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writing a simple helper module

Posted by Avatar for MaBe @MaBe

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