How to determine whether a file has been run directly inside ES module

[sosoba]

• Node.js Version: 12.6.0
• OS: Windows
• Scope (install, code, runtime, meta, other?): runtime, documentation

Current documentation says:

1. Accessing the main module:

When a file is run directly from Node.js, require.main is set to its module. That means that it is possible to determine whether a file has been run directly by testing require.main === module.

2. Differences Between ES Modules and CommonJS:

These CommonJS variables are not available in ES modules.

The new challege is - how to determine whether a file has been run directly inside ES module?

[devsnek]

the concept of a main is mostly considered a mistake, so we haven't exposed such a thing to esm. It's generally considered best practice to have separate files for your bin and lib functionality.

[gireeshpunathil]

ping @sosoba

[PoojaDurgad]

@sosoba , were you able to follow @devsnek 's suggestion? or it is still an issue?

[sosoba]

Hi @PoojaDurgad.

Temporary I using:

import {pathToFileURL} from 'node:url';

if ( import.meta.url === pathToFileURL(process.argv[1]).href) {
    // Loaded as main module
}

but finally community proposing import.meta.main which looking god. Please merge with https://github.com/nodejs/node/issues/49440

[PoojaDurgad]

@sosoba , thanks for the information. as nodejs/node#49440 is still open and under discussion, let us wait to its resolution

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[github-actions[bot]]

It seems there has been no activity on this issue for a while, and it is being closed. If you believe this issue should remain open, please leave a comment. If you need further assistance or have questions, you can also search for similar issues on Stack Overflow. Make sure to look at the README file for the most updated links.

[sosoba]

It works now! https://github.com/nodejs/node/pull/57804