SystemJS Middleware

SystemJS Middleware allows for easier configuration of systemjs module loader by enhancing your NodeJS server

systemjs is a client side library which has no access to the file system. As such, it is unable to enforce sophisticated module resolution logic

For example, assuming you just installed redux by running

npm install redux

And you try to import redux by running

require("redux");

Or

import * as redux from redux;

At runtime, systemjs is not able to resolve the module named "redux". You can configure it manually using System.config but this is a tedius work

As alternative, you can install systemjs-middleware

systemjs-middleware offers express middleware enhancement and a small client side enhancement

After configuring both, you will be able to require("redux") or any other npm package without reverting to manual configuration

Installation

npm install systemjs-middleware

Then, you should apply the express middleware

const basePath = path.join(__dirname, "..");
const app = express();

systemjsMiddleware.config({
    basePath: basePath
});
systemjsMiddleware.setup(app);

basePath should point to the location were static files are served

Next, add the client.js to the index.html

    <script src="node_modules/systemjs/dist/system.src.js"></script>
    <script src="node_modules/systemjs-middleware/client.js"></script>

And use System as usuall to import the main file

    System.import('app/main').catch(function(err){
        console.error(err);
    });

At runtime when systemjs tries to resolve a module location it contacts the middleware which runs through a list of locations and looks for the requested module

You may take a look at the sample folder which demonstrates how systemjs-middleware can be configured into an existing SPA

License

MIT