Import maps for cleaner imports in Deno

Introduction

Import maps help you use simple names instead of long URLs when importing code. This makes your code easier to read and manage.

When you want to avoid typing long URLs for libraries in your code.

When you want to organize and control where your imports come from.

When you want to update library versions easily without changing every import.

When you want to share import paths across multiple files in a project.

Syntax

Deno

{
  "imports": {
    "alias/": "https://example.com/path/"
  }
}

The import map is a JSON file that maps short names (aliases) to full URLs.

Use a trailing slash in the alias if you want to map a folder or multiple files.

Examples

This maps the name lodash to the full URL of the lodash library.

Deno

{
  "imports": {
    "lodash": "https://cdn.skypack.dev/lodash"
  }
}

This maps the alias utils/ to a local folder ./src/utils/.

Deno

{
  "imports": {
    "utils/": "./src/utils/"
  }
}

Sample Program

This example shows an import map that maps fmt/ to Deno's standard formatting library URL. The code imports bold from fmt/colors.ts using the alias, making the import cleaner.

Deno

// import_map.json
{
  "imports": {
    "fmt/": "https://deno.land/std@0.203.0/fmt/"
  }
}

// main.ts
import { bold } from "fmt/colors.ts";

console.log(bold("Hello, Deno import maps!"));

Important Notes

Remember to run Deno with the --import-map=import_map.json flag to use the import map.

Import maps only affect module specifiers in your code, not dynamic imports or other URLs.

Summary

Import maps let you use short names instead of long URLs for imports.

They make your code cleaner and easier to update.

Use the --import-map flag to enable them in Deno.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of using import maps in Deno?

easy

A. To automatically update all dependencies to their latest versions

B. To speed up the execution of Deno scripts

C. To compile TypeScript files into JavaScript

D. To replace long URLs with short, easy-to-read names in imports

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand what import maps do

   Import maps allow you to map long URLs to short names, making imports cleaner.

2. Step 2: Identify the main benefit

   This makes code easier to read and maintain by avoiding long URLs in import statements.

3. Final Answer:

   To replace long URLs with short, easy-to-read names in imports -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Import maps = cleaner imports [OK]

Hint: Import maps shorten URLs to simple names [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking import maps speed up code execution
• Confusing import maps with dependency updates
• Believing import maps compile code

2. Which command correctly runs a Deno script using an import map file named imports.json?

easy

A. deno run --importmap imports.json script.ts

B. deno run --import-map=imports.json script.ts

C. deno run --map-import=imports.json script.ts

D. deno run -importmap imports.json script.ts

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the correct flag syntax

   The correct flag to specify an import map file is --import-map=.

2. Step 2: Match the command with correct syntax

   deno run --import-map=imports.json script.ts uses --import-map=imports.json, which is the correct form.

3. Final Answer:

   deno run --import-map=imports.json script.ts -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Use --import-map=filename [OK]

Hint: Use double dash and equal sign for import map flag [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using single dash instead of double dash
• Missing equal sign between flag and filename
• Using incorrect flag names like --map-import

3. Given this imports.json file:

{
  "imports": {
    "lodash": "https://cdn.skypack.dev/lodash"
  }
}

And this code:

import _ from "lodash";
console.log(typeof _);

What will be printed when running with --import-map=imports.json?

medium

A. "object"

B. "undefined"

C. SyntaxError

D. "function"

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand import map effect

   The import map maps "lodash" to the URL, so the import fetches lodash library.

2. Step 2: Check lodash type

   Lodash is an object with many functions, so typeof _ returns "object".

3. Final Answer:

   "object" -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Import maps load modules correctly = "object" [OK]

Hint: Mapped imports load modules, typeof lodash is object [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting 'undefined' because of missing URL
• Thinking import maps cause syntax errors
• Assuming lodash is a function type

4. You wrote this import map file imports.json:

{
  "imports": {
    "react": "https://cdn.skypack.dev/react"
  }
}

But running deno run --import-map=imports.json app.ts gives an error: Cannot resolve module "react". What is the likely cause?

medium

A. The import map file is not valid JSON

B. The import map file is not passed correctly to the command

C. The import statement in app.ts uses a different name than "react"

D. Deno does not support import maps

Solution

1. Step 1: Check import map correctness

   The JSON looks valid and the flag is used correctly, so those are unlikely causes.

2. Step 2: Check import statement in app.ts

   If the import statement uses a different name than "react", Deno won't find it in the map and errors.

3. Final Answer:

   The import statement in app.ts uses a different name than "react" -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Import name must match map key [OK]

Hint: Import name must exactly match import map key [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming import map file is invalid without checking
• Forgetting to pass import map flag
• Believing Deno lacks import map support

5. You want to use two libraries, lodash and dayjs, with import maps to keep your code clean. Your imports.json is:

{
  "imports": {
    "lodash": "https://cdn.skypack.dev/lodash",
    "dayjs": "https://cdn.skypack.dev/dayjs"
  }
}

In your code, you write:

import _ from "lodash";
import dayjs from "dayjs";
console.log(dayjs().format());

What must you do to run this code correctly in Deno?

hard

A. Run with deno run --import-map=imports.json script.ts and ensure internet access

B. Run with deno run script.ts only, import maps are automatic

C. Include both libraries locally and import from relative paths

D. Use --allow-net flag without import maps

Solution

1. Step 1: Recognize import map usage

   To use import maps, you must run Deno with the --import-map flag pointing to your map file.

2. Step 2: Understand network requirement

   Since the URLs are remote, Deno needs internet access to fetch them, so network permission is needed.

3. Final Answer:

   Run with deno run --import-map=imports.json script.ts and ensure internet access -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use --import-map and allow network [OK]

Hint: Always use --import-map flag and allow network for remote URLs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Running without --import-map flag
• Assuming import maps work automatically
• Not allowing network access for remote imports