Appending Js Extension On Relative Import Statements During Typescript Compilation Es6 Modules

When working with TypeScript and ES6 modules, configuring your development environment properly can save you a lot of time and prevent unnecessary errors. One common issue developers face is handling relative import paths when building their applications. In this guide, we'll delve into the process of appending ".js" extensions on relative import statements during TypeScript compilation for ES6 modules, providing a straightforward solution to this problem.

### Understanding the Problem
ES6 modules allow you to organize your code into separate files and import them where needed. When working with TypeScript, these import paths are resolved during compilation, ensuring that your application can locate the referenced modules correctly. However, TypeScript's default behavior does not handle import statements that omit the file extension, such as ".js", which can lead to import errors, especially when targeting ES6 modules.

### The Solution
To address this issue, we need to configure TypeScript to append ".js" extensions to relative import statements during compilation. This way, our import paths will be resolved correctly, ensuring smooth operation of our ES6 module-based application.

### Steps to Append .js Extension on Relative Import Statements
1. Update tsconfig.json: Open your `tsconfig.json` file and locate the `"compilerOptions"` section. Add the following settings:

"compilerOptions": {
       "module": "ESNext",
       "resolveJsonModule": true,
       "esModuleInterop": true,
       "baseUrl": "./",
       "paths": {
           "*": ["*", "*.js"]
       }
   }

2. Configure Webpack (if applicable): If you are using Webpack to bundle your TypeScript code, ensure that your Webpack configuration is set to resolve modules with the ".js" extension. This step is crucial for proper bundling of your application.

3. Update Import Statements: Now that TypeScript is configured to add the ".js" extension to relative imports, you can update your import statements accordingly. For example:

import { myModule } from './myModule'; // No need to include '.js' extension

4. Compilation and Testing: Compile your TypeScript code as usual. You should see that the generated ES6 module code includes the ".js" extension on relative import paths. Test your application to ensure that the imports are resolved correctly.

### Benefits of Appending .js Extension
By configuring TypeScript to automatically append the ".js" extension on relative import statements, you streamline your development workflow and prevent import errors. This approach ensures consistency in your codebase and simplifies the maintenance of your ES6 module-based project.

### Final Thoughts
Managing import paths in TypeScript projects is crucial for successful application development. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily append the ".js" extension on relative import statements during TypeScript compilation for ES6 modules, empowering you to write clean and error-free code. Stay proactive in setting up your development environment to avoid common pitfalls and enhance your coding experience. Happy coding!