uber-compiler

0.4.7 verified Fri May 01 auth: no javascript maintenance

Compiles client-side JS and CSS using Google Closure Compiler, Closure Templates, and LESS. Version 0.4.7 runs on Node.js >= 0.4.1. It watches files for changes, caches compiled output, and supports custom warnings/compile modes. Unlike standalone build tools, it integrates directly into a Node.js server and auto-recompiles on file changes. Maintenance appears stalled with no recent updates.

Common errors

error Error: Path must be absolute: relative/path/to/js ↓

cause Providing relative paths in jsPaths or cssPaths.

fix

Use absolute paths by prefixing with path.join(__dirname, ...) or path.resolve().

error Error: Cannot find module 'google-closure-compiler' ↓

cause Missing google-closure-compiler dependency, which must be installed globally.

fix

Run: npm i -g google-closure-compiler

error ReferenceError: require is not defined ↓

cause Attempting to use CommonJS require in an ESM module file.

fix

Use import uberCompiler from 'uber-compiler'; instead, or rename file to .cjs.

Warnings

gotcha The jsPaths and cssPaths arrays must contain absolute paths. Relative paths cause 'Path must be absolute' errors. ↓

fix Use path.join with process.cwd() or __dirname to create absolute paths.

gotcha Dependency google-closure-compiler is a large binary and must be installed globally (npm i -g google-closure-compiler) before using uber-compiler. ↓

fix Install google-closure-compiler globally: npm i -g google-closure-compiler

deprecated This package is no longer actively maintained. The last release was in 2012. Alternatives like webpack or gulp are recommended. ↓

fix Migrate to modern build tools such as webpack, gulp, or rollup.

gotcha The 'endCallback' option is called after compilation completes but is not passed any arguments, making error handling difficult. ↓

fix Use process.on('uncaughtException') or wrap run() in try/catch for error handling.

Install

npm install uber-compiler

yarn add uber-compiler

pnpm add uber-compiler

Imports

default
wrong
```
const uberCompiler = require('uber-compiler');
```
correct
```
import uberCompiler from 'uber-compiler';
```
The package exports a factory function directly; ESM import as default works, but CommonJS require also works.

uberCompiler function

wrong

const { uberCompiler } = require('uber-compiler');

correct

import uberCompiler from 'uber-compiler'; const compiler = uberCompiler(options);

The package exports a single function; named destructuring fails.

getJsFilename

wrong

import { getJsFilename } from 'uber-compiler';

correct

import uberCompiler from 'uber-compiler'; const compiler = uberCompiler(options); const jsFile = compiler.getJsFilename();

Methods are available on the compiler instance, not exported directly from the package.

Quickstart

Creates an uber-compiler instance with JS and CSS paths, then compiles and watches for changes.

const path = require('path');
const uberCompiler = require('uber-compiler');

const rootPath = process.cwd();
const options = {
  jsPaths: [
    path.join(rootPath, 'public/js/lib/jquery-1.7.2.js'),
    path.join(rootPath, 'public/js/lib/underscore.js'),
    path.join(rootPath, 'public/js/lib/backbone.js'),
    path.join(rootPath, 'public/js/init.js'),
    path.join(rootPath, 'public/js/model/'),
    path.join(rootPath, 'public/js/view/'),
    path.join(rootPath, 'public/js/router/'),
    path.join(rootPath, 'public/js/main.js')
  ],
  cssPaths: [ path.join(rootPath, 'public/css') ],
  outputDir: path.join(rootPath, 'public/cached'),
  debug: false
};
const compiler = uberCompiler(options);
compiler.run();