scriptjs

library2.5.9jsnpmunverified

$script.js is a compact, asynchronous JavaScript loader and dependency manager designed for browser environments. Its primary function is to load JavaScript resources on demand without blocking the rendering of other assets like CSS and images, a common issue with traditional `<script>` tags. The library, currently at version 2.5.9, focuses on simplifying dependency management for complex web applications by allowing scripts to be loaded in parallel and executed once their dependencies are met, using a unique `ready` callback mechanism. It differentiates itself through its lightweight footprint and its ability to manage intricate load sequences using named bundles or individual script IDs, making it suitable for older browser environments (IE6+, Opera10+). However, its release cadence appears to be very slow, with the last known stable version 2.5.9 released quite some time ago, indicating a maintenance or effectively abandoned status given the prevalence of modern bundlers.

http-networking web-framework devops

github ↗package ↗homepage ↗

Install & Compatibility

Where this runs

No compatibility data collected yet for this library.

Code

Verified usage

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

$script.js operates by exposing a global `$script` object. It is typically loaded via a `<script>` tag in HTML. It does not use standard CommonJS `require()` or ES Modules `import` syntax.

<script src="script.js"></script> // In JavaScript, after loading $script('script.js', callback)

`$script.ready` is a method on the global `$script` object used to register callbacks that execute once specified script bundles or individual scripts are loaded and ready. It's the primary mechanism for dependency fulfillment.

$script.ready('bundleName', function() { /* code */ });

`$script.path` is a global configuration method used to set a base path for all subsequent relative script loads. It must be called directly on the global `$script` object. To circumvent it for a single script, use `$script.get()`.

$script.path('/js/modules/');

Demonstrates loading multiple scripts, grouping them into a bundle, setting a base path, and using the `$script.ready` callback for deferred execution based on named dependencies.

$script.path('/assets/js/'); // Load jQuery and a jQuery plugin concurrently, assigning them to a 'vendor' bundle ID $script(['jquery-3.x.min.js', 'my-jquery-plugin.js'], 'vendor', function() { console.log('jQuery and plugin loaded. Initializing application...'); }); // Load a core application module separately $script('app-core.js', 'appCore'); // Wait for both the 'vendor' bundle and 'appCore' module to be ready $script.ready(['vendor', 'appCore'], function() { console.log('All core scripts are loaded and ready.'); // Application initialization code that depends on all these scripts // For example, if jQuery is globally available via `window.$` if (typeof window.$ !== 'undefined') { console.log('jQuery version:', $.fn.jquery); } // Your application's main entry point // myApp.init(); }, function(depsNotFound) { console.error('Some dependencies were not found:', depsNotFound); // Optionally, try to lazy load missing dependencies });

Debug

Known footguns

breakingThis library is primarily designed for older browser environments and traditional server-rendered applications. It does not integrate well with modern JavaScript module systems (ES Modules, CommonJS) or bundlers (Webpack, Rollup, Vite) and might cause unexpected behavior or global scope pollution when used alongside them.

gotchaAll scripts loaded via `$script.js` execute in the global scope. Variables and functions defined in these scripts will become global properties unless explicitly wrapped in IIFEs or closures, leading to potential naming conflicts.

deprecatedThe `script.js` project appears to be largely unmaintained. While functional for its intended use case, it has not seen significant updates or new feature development for several years. This means it may not address modern web standards, security concerns, or performance optimizations.

gotchaThe `$script.urlArgs()` feature, while useful for cache busting, appends a query string to *all* subsequent script loads. This can prevent proxy caches (like Squid) from caching resources, potentially impacting performance for users behind such proxies.

Upgrade

Version history

Breaking-change detection hasn't run for this library yet.

Audit

Security & dependencies

CVE tracking and dependency tree are planned for a later release.

Agent activity

0 hits · last 30 days

No traffic data recorded yet.

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/ded/script.js ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/scriptjs ↗

homepagehttp://www.bcherny.net/script.js ↗