Modular SDK (v9+) tree-shaking in Firebase - Commands & Configuration

Introduction

When you build apps with Firebase, you want your app to load fast and use less data. The Modular SDK version 9 helps by letting you include only the parts you need. This makes your app smaller and quicker.

When you want your Firebase app to load faster on slow internet connections.

When you want to reduce the size of your app to save users' data.

When you are building a web app and want to include only the Firebase features you use.

When you want to avoid loading unnecessary Firebase code that your app does not need.

When you want to improve your app's performance by using modern JavaScript imports.

Commands

This command installs the latest stable Firebase Modular SDK version 9.22.1 in your project to use tree-shaking features.

Terminal

npm install firebase@9.22.1

Expected Output

+ firebase@9.22.1

added 1 package from 1 contributor and audited 1 package in 1.234s



found 0 vulnerabilities

This command checks that you can import only the needed Firebase functions using the Modular SDK syntax.

Terminal

node -e "import('firebase/app').then(({ initializeApp }) => console.log(typeof initializeApp))"

Expected Output

function

This command runs your build process (like with Webpack or Vite) which removes unused Firebase code thanks to tree-shaking.

Terminal

npm run build

Expected Output

[webpack] Hash: abc123

Version: 5.0.0

Built at: 2024-06-01 12:00:00

  Asset      Size  Chunks             Chunk Names

main.js  50 KiB  main  [emitted]  main



WARNING in asset size limit: The following asset(s) exceed the recommended size limit (244 KiB).

Key Concept

If you remember nothing else from this pattern, remember: import only the Firebase functions you use to keep your app small and fast.

Common Mistakes

Importing the entire Firebase SDK using 'import firebase from "firebase";'

This loads all Firebase features, making your app large and slow to load.

Use modular imports like 'import { initializeApp } from "firebase/app";' to include only what you need.

Using old Firebase namespaced syntax with Modular SDK v9+

The old syntax is not tree-shakeable and can cause errors or bigger bundles.

Use the new Modular SDK syntax with direct function imports.

Summary

Install Firebase Modular SDK version 9 to enable tree-shaking.

Import only the Firebase functions your app uses with modular import syntax.

Run your build tool to remove unused Firebase code and reduce app size.

Practice

1. What is the main benefit of using Firebase Modular SDK (v9+) with tree-shaking?

easy

A. It reduces app size by including only needed Firebase features.

B. It automatically backs up your Firebase database.

C. It increases the number of Firebase services loaded by default.

D. It disables Firebase authentication for faster login.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand tree-shaking purpose

   Tree-shaking removes unused code to reduce app size and improve performance.

2. Step 2: Apply to Firebase Modular SDK

   Using modular imports in Firebase v9+ allows only needed services to be included, enabling tree-shaking.

3. Final Answer:

   It reduces app size by including only needed Firebase features. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Tree-shaking = smaller app size [OK]

Hint: Remember: modular imports keep only what you use [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking tree-shaking adds features automatically
• Confusing tree-shaking with backup or security
• Assuming all Firebase services load by default

2. Which import statement correctly uses Firebase Modular SDK (v9+) for Firestore to enable tree-shaking?

easy

A. import { Firestore } from 'firebase/app';

B. import { getFirestore } from 'firebase/firestore';

C. import firebase from 'firebase';

D. import * as firestore from 'firebase/firestore';

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify modular import syntax

   Firebase v9+ uses named imports from specific service packages like 'firebase/firestore'.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   import { getFirestore } from 'firebase/firestore'; correctly imports getFirestore from 'firebase/firestore' for modular usage. Others use old or incorrect syntax.

3. Final Answer:

   import { getFirestore } from 'firebase/firestore'; -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Modular import = named import from service path [OK]

Hint: Use named imports from 'firebase/service' for modular SDK [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using default import from 'firebase' package
• Importing from 'firebase/app' instead of service path
• Using wildcard imports that prevent tree-shaking

3. Given the code below, what will be the output in the console?

import { initializeApp } from 'firebase/app';
import { getAuth } from 'firebase/auth';

const app = initializeApp({ apiKey: 'abc', authDomain: 'xyz' });
const auth = getAuth(app);
console.log(typeof auth.currentUser);

medium

A. 'null'

B. 'undefined'

C. 'function'

D. 'object'

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand getAuth and currentUser

   getAuth returns an Auth instance; currentUser is a property that is either null or a user object.

2. Step 2: Check typeof currentUser before login

   Before login, currentUser is null, and typeof null is 'object' in JavaScript.

3. Final Answer:

   'object' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   typeof null = 'object' in JS [OK]

Hint: Remember: typeof null returns 'object' in JavaScript [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming currentUser is undefined before login
• Confusing typeof null with 'null' string
• Thinking currentUser is a function

4. Identify the error in this Firebase Modular SDK (v9+) import code:

import { initializeApp } from 'firebase/app';
import { getFirestore } from 'firebase/firestore';

const app = initializeApp(config);
const db = getFirestore();

medium

A. getFirestore() requires the app instance as an argument.

B. initializeApp should be imported from 'firebase/firestore'.

C. config object is missing from the code.

D. getFirestore must be called before initializeApp.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check usage of initializeApp

   initializeApp requires a config object to initialize Firebase app.

2. Step 2: Verify presence of config object

   The code uses 'config' but does not define or import it, causing a ReferenceError.

3. Final Answer:

   config object is missing from the code. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Missing config causes initialization error [OK]

Hint: Always define config before initializeApp call [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Forgetting to pass app to getFirestore (optional but recommended)
• Importing initializeApp from wrong package
• Calling getFirestore before app initialization

5. You want to optimize your Firebase app bundle size by importing only Authentication and Firestore services using Modular SDK (v9+). Which code snippet correctly achieves this with tree-shaking?

hard

A. import { initializeApp } from 'firebase/app';
import { getAuth } from 'firebase/auth';
import { getFirestore } from 'firebase/firestore';

const app = initializeApp(config);
const auth = getAuth(app);
const db = getFirestore(app);

B. import firebase from 'firebase';

const app = firebase.initializeApp(config);
const auth = firebase.auth();
const db = firebase.firestore();

C. import { initializeApp, getAuth, getFirestore } from 'firebase/app';

const app = initializeApp(config);
const auth = getAuth(app);
const db = getFirestore(app);

D. import { initializeApp } from 'firebase/app';
import { auth, firestore } from 'firebase';

const app = initializeApp(config);
const authInstance = auth(app);
const dbInstance = firestore(app);

Solution

1. Step 1: Use modular imports from correct packages

   Authentication and Firestore must be imported from 'firebase/auth' and 'firebase/firestore' respectively for tree-shaking.

2. Step 2: Initialize app and pass it to service getters

   Initialize app with config, then pass app instance to getAuth and getFirestore functions.

3. Step 3: Check each option

   import { initializeApp } from 'firebase/app'; import { getAuth } from 'firebase/auth'; import { getFirestore } from 'firebase/firestore'; const app = initializeApp(config); const auth = getAuth(app); const db = getFirestore(app); correctly imports and initializes services modularly. Others use old syntax or wrong imports preventing tree-shaking.

4. Final Answer:

   Option A code snippet -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Modular imports + app passed = optimized bundle [OK]

Hint: Import each service from its own package and pass app [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using default firebase import disables tree-shaking
• Importing multiple services from 'firebase/app' only
• Not passing app instance to service getters