Let&#s understand the difference between CJS & MJS

The terms CJS (CommonJS) and MJS (ES Module) refer to two module systems used in JavaScript to organize code into reusable components. Here's a comparison between the two:

1. CommonJS (CJS)

• Syntax: CommonJS uses require() to load modules and module.exports or exports to export them.
• Used in: It’s the module system primarily used in Node.js prior to the introduction of ES modules.
• Synchronous Loading: CommonJS modules are loaded synchronously, meaning they block execution until the module is loaded. This is ideal for server-side applications but less suitable for client-side code where async loading is preferred.

• Example:
  

   // Import
   const fs = require('fs');
  
   // Export
   module.exports = function () {
     console.log("Hello from CJS");
   };
  

2. ES Modules (MJS)

• Syntax: ES Modules use import and export statements.
• Used in: Modern JavaScript environments, both in browsers and Node.js (with the .mjs extension or using "type": "module" in package.json).
• Asynchronous Loading: ES modules are asynchronously loaded, which is better suited for client-side environments.

• Example:
  

   // Import
   import fs from 'fs';
  
   // Export
   export function greet() {
     console.log("Hello from MJS");
   }
  

Key Differences:

1. Loading Mechanism:

   • CJS: Modules are loaded synchronously.
   • MJS: Modules are loaded asynchronously, which makes them non-blocking and more efficient in certain scenarios (especially in the browser).

2. Syntax:

   • CJS: Uses require() and module.exports.
   • MJS: Uses import and export.

3. Compatibility:

   • CJS: Widely supported in Node.js, but less compatible with browsers (without bundlers).
   • MJS: Native support in modern browsers and Node.js (from version 12+), aligning with the ES6 module standard.

4. Default Exports:

   • CJS: Can export an object or a function directly as a module.
   • MJS: Supports both named and default exports, allowing more flexibility in exporting multiple functions or values.

When to Use:

• CJS (CommonJS): If working with older Node.js projects or existing libraries that are based on the CommonJS module system.
• MJS (ES Modules): When building modern applications, especially for client-side development or Node.js projects that target modern runtimes.

In modern development, ES Modules are becoming the standard, but many legacy projects still rely on CommonJS.

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