Скачать или смотреть Resolving the Unexpected token 'export' Error in Node.js

Discover how to resolve the `Unexpected token 'export'` error in Node.js when trying to export data. Learn the difference between ES6 module syntax and CommonJS module syntax to keep your Node.js application running smoothly.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/69953397/ asked by the user 'Khant' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/12702965/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/69953413/ provided by the user 'Majed Badawi' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/7486313/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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Understanding the Issue: Unexpected token 'export' Error

If you're new to Node.js or JavaScript ES6 modules, you might run into a common stumbling block—especially when it comes to exporting and importing data. One user recently encountered the error Unexpected token 'export' while trying to streamline their code by exporting product data.

Here's a breakdown of what led to this issue and how to fix it.

The Code in Question

Let's take a closer look at the user's code example:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In the above code, the user is attempting to export an array of products using ES6 module syntax with the line export default products. This is perfectly valid in modern front-end environments or when using bundlers that support ES6 modules. However, in Node.js, especially if your environment does not support ES6 modules out of the box, this can lead to errors.

Analyzing the Error

The error message Unexpected token 'export' indicates that Node.js reached the export statement and did not recognize it as valid syntax. This typically occurs when:

You're using a version of Node.js that does not support ES6 module syntax.

The environment is set up to use CommonJS, the default module system in Node.js, which does not recognize the export statement.

Solution: Use CommonJS Syntax

To resolve this error, you can switch from using ES6 module syntax to CommonJS syntax for exporting your products array. Here’s how you can modify the export statement:

Step 1: Update the Export Statement

Replace:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

With:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This change makes your code compatible with Node.js, as it recognizes module.exports as the standard way to export modules in CommonJS.

Step 2: Adjust Your Import Statement

If you're importing your products in another file, make sure to use require() instead of import. Your server.js file should look like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

This setup will allow your server to run without any errors related to ES6 exports, enabling you to focus on building your application rather than troubleshooting syntax issues.

Conclusion

The error Unexpected token 'export' in Node.js can be quickly resolved by switching from ES6 exports to CommonJS module syntax. This ensures compatibility with the Node.js environment, allowing your server to run smoothly.

Understanding the differences between ES6 and CommonJS can help avoid similar pitfalls in the future and streamline your development process.

Happy coding!