The Importance of Structuring Imports

For many developers, particularly those new to large JavaScript projects, the importance of properly structuring imports may not be immediately apparent. However, as projects grow in complexity, a well-organized import structure becomes invaluable for maintaining readability and manageability. Here's a suggested method to structure imports logically and efficiently:

Suggested Import Structure

1. Core Node.js Modules: Start by importing core Node.js modules (if any). These are modules that come with Node.js, like fs, path, and http.

2. NPM Packages: Next, import third-party libraries installed via NPM, such as express, lodash, or any other external libraries. This helps distinguish built-in modules from those installed from outside sources.

3. Project-Specific Modules: Finally, import your own modules, components, or configurations. These are the files and modules that are specific to your project.

4. Ordering and Casing: Within each group, you might choose to order imports alphabetically to make them easier to scan. Also, maintaining a consistent casing and ordering strategy (e.g., constants in CAPITAL LETTERS first, followed by camelCase names) can enhance the clarity.

Example of Structured Imports:

// Core Node.js Modules
import fs from 'fs-extra';
import https from 'https';
import path from 'path';

// NPM Packages
import _ from 'lodash';
import config from 'dotenv';
import express from 'express';

// Project-Specific Modules
import SOME_CONST from './config.js';
import adminRoute from './srv/routes/admin.js';
import calendarRoute from './srv/routes/calendar.js';
import { devRouter } from './srv/routes/dev.js';

Why This Matters

Organizing imports does not just affect readability and maintainability, it can also impact the ease of debugging and refactoring. When imports are well-organized, developers can quickly locate and update dependencies or troubleshoot issues related to module loading. In team environments, a consistent import structure across all files reduces cognitive load and streamlines code reviews.