should-util

library1.0.1jsnpmunverified

should-util is a foundational utility library within the should.js assertion ecosystem. It provides a collection of core helper functions, primarily type-checking utilities (e.g., `isString`, `isArray`, `isFunction`) and a `deepEqual` comparison function. The package itself is highly stable, having been at version 1.0.1 since its initial releases over a decade ago, with the last code commit occurring 7 years prior. As such, it follows a 'maintenance' release cadence, receiving no active development or new features. Its primary differentiator is its integral role in the should.js assertion library, offering common, reusable functionalities that are robust and well-tested, though not independently maintained for general-purpose use. It is predominantly a CommonJS module, reflecting its age.

testing

npm install should-util

github ↗package ↗

INSTALL

IMPORT

SIG · SHOULD-UTIL

should-util

testingjavascriptv1.0.1

Install

—

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.

isString

✓ import { isString } from 'should-util'

✗ const { isString } = require('should-util')

While CommonJS `require` is the primary usage, modern bundlers can often convert this to ESM named imports. The package itself is a CJS module without `exports` field in package.json.

deepEqual

✓ import { deepEqual } from 'should-util'

✗ import deepEqual from 'should-util/lib/deepEqual'

The `deepEqual` function is a named export from the main entry point, not a default export or a direct submodule import.

isArray

✓ import { isArray } from 'should-util'

✗ const isArray = require('should-util').isArray

Destructuring is recommended for specific utility functions. Direct property access (e.g., `require('pkg').prop`) is functional but less idiomatic for multiple imports in modern JavaScript.

Demonstrates importing and using `isString`, `isArray`, and `deepEqual` for type checking and object comparison, key utilities from the package.

import { isString, isArray, deepEqual } from 'should-util'; // Example 1: Type checking a string const myString = 'Hello, world!'; console.log(`'${myString}' is a string: ${isString(myString)}`); // Expected: 'Hello, world!' is a string: true // Example 2: Type checking an array const myArray = [1, 2, 3]; console.log(`${JSON.stringify(myArray)} is an array: ${isArray(myArray)}`); // Expected: [1,2,3] is an array: true // Example 3: Deep equality comparison const objA = { a: 1, b: { c: 2 } }; const objB = { a: 1, b: { c: 2 } }; const objC = { a: 1, b: { c: 3 } }; console.log(`objA deepEqual objB: ${deepEqual(objA, objB)}`); // Expected: objA deepEqual objB: true console.log(`objA deepEqual objC: ${deepEqual(objA, objC)}`); // Expected: objA deepEqual objC: false // Example 4: Demonstrating other exports import util from 'should-util'; // For older bundlers or direct CommonJS require console.log(`Is null undefined? ${util.isUndefined(null)}`); console.log(`Is undefined undefined? ${util.isUndefined(undefined)}`);

Debug

Known issues

gotchaThe `should-util` package is primarily a CommonJS module. While modern bundlers can often convert `import` statements, it does not explicitly define ES module entry points using the `package.json#exports` field. This may lead to compatibility issues in pure ESM environments or older tooling.

fix

For direct CommonJS usage, use `const { utility } = require('should-util');`. For ES module usage in environments without strong CJS interop, ensure your build tool handles CJS packages or consider alternative, actively maintained utility libraries.

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaThis package is in maintenance mode with no active development. The last commit was 7 years ago, and there have been no new releases in a decade. While stable, it lacks modern features, TypeScript definitions, or updates for newer JavaScript language constructs or environments.

fix

Be aware that new features or bug fixes are unlikely. If using TypeScript, you will need to provide your own declaration files (`.d.ts`) or rely on implicit `any` typing. Consider the implications for long-term project viability.

affects: >=1.0.0

gotchaMany of the basic type-checking utilities (e.g., `isString`, `isArray`) provided by `should-util` have native JavaScript equivalents (e.g., `typeof ''`, `Array.isArray()`) or are readily available in more modern, actively maintained utility libraries (e.g., Lodash, Ramda). Over-reliance on this specific package for basic tasks might introduce an unnecessary, unmaintained dependency.

fix

Evaluate if a specific utility function is truly needed from `should-util` or if a native JavaScript method or a function from a more actively developed library would suffice.

affects: >=1.0.0

Errors

Common errors & fixes

TypeError: (0 , should_util__WEBPACK_IMPORTED_MODULE_0__.isString) is not a function

Attempting to use ES module named imports in a bundler that struggles with CJS interop, or directly in an environment that expects explicit ES exports. This usually means the bundler didn't correctly resolve `module.exports` to named imports.

fix

Try importing the entire module as a default import and then accessing properties: `import util from 'should-util'; console.log(util.isString('test'))`. Alternatively, configure your bundler (e.g., Webpack, Rollup) to better handle CommonJS modules, or ensure `module.exports` is correctly identified as the source of named exports.

Error [ERR_REQUIRE_ESM]: require() of ES Module ... Not supported by CommonJS 'require'.

This error would typically occur if `should-util` were an ESM package being `require()`d. However, `should-util` is CJS. If you encounter this, it likely means another dependency or the consuming project is configured as ESM-only, and the tooling is failing to correctly load `should-util` as CJS.

fix

Ensure your project's module resolution (`tsconfig.json#moduleResolution`, `package.json#type`) is compatible with CommonJS modules. If you are in a pure ESM environment, you may need to use a dynamic `import()` or find an ESM-native alternative for the desired functionality.

Upgrade

Version history

1.0.1latest on npm

Audit

Dependencies

is-argumentsrequiredProvides a robust check for arguments objects.

is-arrayrequiredProvides a robust check for arrays.

is-bufferrequiredProvides a robust check for Node.js Buffer objects.

lodash.isbooleanrequiredProvides a robust check for boolean values.

lodash.isdaterequiredProvides a robust check for Date objects.

lodash.iserrorrequiredProvides a robust check for Error objects.

lodash.isfunctionrequiredProvides a robust check for function objects.

lodash.isnumberrequiredProvides a robust check for number values.

lodash.isobjectrequiredProvides a robust check for plain objects.

lodash.isregexprequiredProvides a robust check for RegExp objects.

lodash.isstringrequiredProvides a robust check for string values.

lodash.isnullrequiredProvides a robust check for null values.

lodash.isundefinedrequiredProvides a robust check for undefined values.

Agent activity

2 hits · last 30 days

node

Resources

githubhttps://github.com/shouldjs/util ↗

packagehttps://www.npmjs.com/package/should-util ↗