JavaScript modules have evolved significantly over the years, with various patterns emerging to manage code organization and encapsulation. Here's a breakdown of the most common module patterns:

1. IIFE (Immediately Invoked Function Expression) 📦

A self-contained function that runs as soon as it's defined.

  • Pros: No need for a separate file, private variables.
  • Cons: Limited to simple use cases.
  • Example
Immediately_Invoked_Function_Expression

2. AMD (Async Module Definition) ⚙️

Asynchronous loading of modules, popularized by RequireJS.

  • Pros: Modular and scalable for large projects.
  • Cons: Requires a module loader.
  • Learn more about AMD
Async_Module_Definition

3. CMD (CommonJS Module Definition) 📁

Used in Node.js environments, emphasizes lazy loading.

  • Pros: Simple syntax, good for server-side.
  • Cons: Not natively supported in browsers.
  • CMD documentation
CommonJS_Module_Definition

4. ESM (ECMAScript Module) 🌐

Modern standard for modules in browsers and Node.js (ES6+).

  • Pros: Native support, tree-shaking capabilities.
  • Cons: Requires explicit file extensions (.js or .mjs).
  • ESM implementation guide
ECMAScript_Module

For deeper insights, explore our JavaScript Development Best Practices section. 🚀