atob-lite

library2.0.0jsnpmunverified

atob-lite provides a streamlined, isomorphic solution for Base64 decoding in JavaScript, abstracting away the platform-specific `atob` implementations. It intelligently uses the native `atob` function in browser environments and Node.js's `Buffer` API for server-side operations. The package's core strength lies in its build-time optimization: it leverages the `main` and `browser` fields in `package.json` to prevent build tools like Browserify from unnecessarily bundling the heavier `Buffer` shim into browser-destined code. This ensures a minimal footprint for client-side applications. The current stable version is 2.0.0. Given its nature as a foundational utility, its release cadence is generally slow, focusing on stability, cross-environment compatibility, and critical bug fixes rather than frequent feature additions. Its primary differentiator is its "lite" approach to isomorphic Base64 decoding, specifically designed to avoid common bundle size issues associated with `Buffer` shims in browser builds.

serialization

npm install atob-lite

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · ATOB-LITE

atob-lite

serializationjavascriptv2.0.0

Install

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Import

—

Disk

—

Pass rate

0/ 6

Env Coverage0 / 6

glibc

18–22

musl

18–22

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

tested against v? · npm install

Install × environment matrix

Each cell = how many times install + import succeeded across repeated harness runs. Partial = flaky.
glibc = Debian/Ubuntu slim · musl = Alpine Linux

musl

node 18–226 runs

build_error

glibc

node 18–226 runs

build_error

Code

Verified usage

Verified import paths — ran on the pinned version, not inferred.

atob

✓ const atob = require('atob-lite')

✗ const { atob } = require('atob-lite')

For CommonJS, the package exports a default function. Direct assignment from `require()` is correct, while destructuring will result in 'undefined'.

atob

✓ import atob from 'atob-lite'

✗ import { atob } from 'atob-lite'

For ES Modules, the package exports a default function. Named imports are incorrect for this module and will lead to an error.

atob (TypeScript)

✓ import atob from 'atob-lite'

✗ import * as atob from 'atob-lite'

For TypeScript, use the default import. Importing as a namespace object ('* as atob') would require calling 'atob.default(encoded)'.

Demonstrates how to decode a Base64 string using `atob-lite` and conceptually illustrates its environment-agnostic behavior, utilizing native browser `atob` or Node.js `Buffer` as appropriate.

import atob from 'atob-lite'; const encodedString = 'SGVsbG8sIFdvcmxkIQ=='; // "Hello, World!" in Base64 const decodedString = atob(encodedString); console.log(`Encoded: ${encodedString}`); console.log(`Decoded: ${decodedString}`); // Demonstrating the environment abstraction (conceptual) // In a browser environment, this would utilize window.atob. // In a Node.js environment, it would leverage Node's Buffer API. function checkEnvironmentUsage() { if (typeof window !== 'undefined' && typeof window.atob === 'function') { console.log("Detected browser-like environment; atob-lite uses native window.atob."); } else if (typeof Buffer !== 'undefined' && typeof Buffer.from === 'function') { console.log("Detected Node.js-like environment; atob-lite uses Buffer for decoding."); } else { console.log("Could not conclusively determine environment specific implementation."); } } checkEnvironmentUsage();

Debug

Known issues

gotchaBase64 encoding/decoding is not a form of encryption and should not be used for securing sensitive data. It merely translates binary data into an ASCII string format.

fix

Use established cryptographic methods (e.g., AES, RSA) for data security and integrity when handling sensitive information.

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaConfusing `atob-lite` (decode) with `btoa-lite` (encode). `atob-lite` is strictly for decoding Base64 strings, while `btoa-lite` (a separate package) is for encoding.

fix

Ensure you are using the correct package for the intended operation: `atob-lite` for decoding, `btoa-lite` for encoding.

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaDirectly requiring or importing `Buffer` in browser-targeted code, even implicitly, can pull in Browserify's large `Buffer` shim. `atob-lite` specifically aims to avoid this by using conditional exports.

fix

Rely on `atob-lite` for Base64 decoding in isomorphic code. Avoid direct `Buffer` usage in shared code that targets browsers unless a large bundle size is acceptable or necessary.

affects: >=1.0.0

breakingIncorrect module import syntax for CommonJS (e.g., destructuring `require`) or ES Modules (e.g., named import for a default export) will result in `atob` being `undefined` or a `SyntaxError`.

fix

For CommonJS, use `const atob = require('atob-lite')`. For ES Modules, use `import atob from 'atob-lite'`.

affects: >=1.0.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

TypeError: atob is not a function

Attempting to call `atob` when it was incorrectly imported as `undefined` (e.g., `const { atob } = require('atob-lite')` for CommonJS or `import { atob } from 'atob-lite'` for ES Modules).

fix

Use `const atob = require('atob-lite')` for CommonJS or `import atob from 'atob-lite'` for ES Modules to correctly import the default function.

SyntaxError: Named export 'atob' not found (module 'atob-lite')

Trying to import `atob` as a named export from `atob-lite` in an ES Module context, but the package provides a default export.

fix

Change the import statement to `import atob from 'atob-lite'`.

Upgrade

Version history

2.0.0latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

No dependency data recorded yet.

Agent activity

15 hits · last 30 days

node

OpenAI (training)

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/hughsk/atob-lite ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/atob-lite ↗