Unlock the Power of Webpack: Exciting Features to Watch Out for in 2021
As a JavaScript module bundler, webpack has revolutionized the way we manage web assets. Its ability to transform and bundle HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and SVG files into smaller groups has made it an indispensable tool for developers. But what’s on the horizon for webpack in 2021?
A Look Back at Webpack 5
Before we dive into the new features, let’s review the significant changes that came with webpack 5. Released in October 2020, this version removed all deprecated items from V4 and fixed breaking changes to pave the way for future improvements. Some notable features in version 5 include long-term caching support, real content hash, and Module Federation.
Improved ESM Support
The ECMAScript module (ESM) has become the standard mechanism for code reuse in highly fragmented JavaScript applications. To improve ESM support, the webpack team is planning some significant updates, including:
- Self-executed chunks: This feature will allow webpack to generate chunks that directly execute the contained module, reducing generated code and avoiding function wrapping.
- ESM imports and exports: Native support for ESM exports will make it easier to integrate webpack bundles into ESM loading environments or inline scripts.
- Absolute URLs in imports: This feature will come in handy when using external services that offer their API as EcmaScript modules.
Other Exciting Features
- ESM library: A special mode that doesn’t apply chunking, but instead emits processed modules connected via ESM imports and exports.
- Strict mode warnings: Ensuring that all contained code in an ESM bundle will be forced to strict mode, with warnings for older packages that might have issues.
- SourceMap performance: Improving SourceMap performance to make debugging easier and more efficient.
- exports/imports package.json field: Supporting the exports field in package.json, which allows defining entry points for a package.
- HMR for Module Federation: Enabling Hot Module Replacement (HMR) to update between different builds, making developing federation applications easier.
- Hinting system: Introducing a new category for the user, “hint,” which will notify users of optimization opportunities or tricks.
- WebAssembly: Adding default support for WebAssembly, which will allow building software with programming languages like Rust, C++, and Python and delivering it to the end user in a browser with near-native performance.
Get Ready for a More Efficient Webpack
With these exciting features on the horizon, 2021 is shaping up to be a big year for webpack. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting out, these updates are sure to make working with webpack easier and more efficient. Stay ahead of the curve and get ready to unlock the full potential of webpack!