Requirechildprocess

Requirechildprocess is a small utility used in Node.js projects to access the built-in child_process module while maintaining compatibility with environments where that module may not be available or easily bundled. The library provides a lightweight wrapper around a standard require call and returns either the actual child_process module or a safe fallback when the module cannot be loaded.

The core idea is to enable libraries and applications to conditionally use child_process without causing bundling or runtime failures in environments where core Node modules are unavailable, restricted, or mocked. When the requested module can be loaded, requirechildprocess returns it. If loading fails, it returns a user-supplied fallback value or a minimal stub that mimics a subset of the API. This approach helps prevent crashes in browsers, bundled builds, or restricted execution contexts.

Typical usage patterns emphasize portability rather than adding new functionality. By abstracting the require call, developers can write code that uses child_process features when available while gracefully degrading in environments where process spawning is not possible. The package is designed to be small, dependency-free, and easy to integrate into existing codebases that may target multiple runtimes or environments.

Limitations include that requirechildprocess does not itself provide cross-platform process execution beyond what the native child_process module supports. In environments where spawning or executing processes is prohibited by the runtime or security policies, the library will only offer the configured fallback. As with any integration involving core Node.js features, consumers should follow best practices for error handling and ensure compatibility with their target environments.

See also: Node.js child_process, bundlers, conditional requires.