How to Enable ES Modules in Node.js

To enable the import syntax in Node.js, you need to follow a few steps:

Install the latest version of Node.js: Make sure you are using the latest version of Node.js, as it includes the latest features and improvements.
Update your package.json file: Open your package.json file and add the "type": "module" line. This informs Node.js to treat your code as a module.
Use the --experimental-modules flag: When running your Node.js application, use the --experimental-modules flag to enable support for ES Modules. For example:

1	node --experimental-modules app.js

Alternatively, you can rename your app.js file (or any other entry file) to app.mjs. This eliminates the need to add the "type": "module" line in your package.json file.

It’s important to note that after enabling ES Modules, the require() syntax will no longer work. You should update your codebase to use the new import syntax.

For older versions of Node.js that may not support the --experimental-modules flag, you can consider using the esm npm module as an alternative.

By following these steps, you can easily enable ES Modules in your Node.js application and leverage the benefits of the modern import syntax.

Tags: Node.js, ES Modules, import, package.json, –experimental-modules, require()