Webpack Watch With Multiple Entry Points Emitting Bundles For Non Changed Files

Webpack is a powerful tool for bundling assets in web development projects. If you're looking to streamline your workflow by automatically emitting bundles for non-changed files while utilizing multiple entry points, Webpack's watch mode is here to save the day.

In a nutshell, Webpack's watch mode allows you to track changes in your files and automatically recompile your assets when modifications are detected. By utilizing multiple entry points, you can structure your project more efficiently and improve build performance.

To set up Webpack watch with multiple entry points emitting bundles for non-changed files, follow these steps:

1. Configure Webpack for Multiple Entry Points:
In your Webpack configuration file, you can define multiple entry points using an object syntax. Each entry point represents a separate bundle that Webpack will generate.

module.exports = {
       entry: {
           main: './src/index.js',
           dashboard: './src/dashboard.js',
       },
       output: {
           filename: '[name].bundle.js',
           path: path.resolve(__dirname, 'dist'),
       },
   };

2. Enable Watch Mode:
To enable watch mode in Webpack, you can simply add the `--watch` flag to your build command. This tells Webpack to monitor changes in your files and recompile whenever a modification is detected.

webpack --watch

3. Optimize for Non-Changed Files:
By default, Webpack recompiles all files whenever a change is detected. However, you can optimize this behavior by utilizing plugins like `webpack-cached-externals` or `hard-source-webpack-plugin` to cache dependencies and emit bundles only for changed files.

4. Fine-Tune Your Configuration:
Depending on your project requirements, you may need to fine-tune your Webpack configuration further. Consider options like `watchOptions` to customize the behavior of the watch mode, such as ignoring specific files or directories.

module.exports = {
       watchOptions: {
           ignored: /node_modules/,
       },
   };

5. Test Your Setup:
Once you've configured Webpack for multiple entry points and watch mode, it's essential to test your setup thoroughly. Make changes to your files, add new entry points, and observe how Webpack handles the bundling process.

By leveraging Webpack's watch mode with multiple entry points and optimizing for non-changed files, you can boost your development efficiency and speed up your build times. Experiment with different configurations, plugins, and settings to find the setup that best suits your project needs.

Stay proactive, stay productive, and let Webpack do the heavy lifting for you as you focus on crafting exceptional web experiences!