requiremodule

Requiremodule is a term used in some modular programming environments to describe a runtime mechanism for loading code modules. It usually denotes a function or directive that, given a module identifier, locates, loads, and returns the module's exported interface. Unlike static imports, requiremodule is typically invoked at runtime and can load modules on demand.

Implementation details vary by platform, but common traits include a registry or resolver that maps identifiers to sources (files, packages, or in-memory modules); a caching layer that ensures a module is initialized once and subsequent calls return the same exports; and dependency resolution that constructs a graph so that a module's dependencies are loaded before it executes. Some environments also support versioning, optional dependencies, or plugins loaded from non-traditional sources.

Usage often resembles: var mod = requiremodule('library-name'); or requiremodule('./plugins/myPlugin'); The module is responsible for exporting a value or API that the caller can use. In some systems, requiremodule may support asynchronous loading or reloading during runtime, but many implementations are synchronous.

Security and reliability considerations include controlling which modules can be loaded, isolating plugins, handling circular dependencies, and ensuring deterministic initialization. Differences among implementations mean code that relies on a specific requiremodule may not be portable.

Related concepts include module loaders, dynamic import, and require in Node.js or AMD loaders like RequireJS. The term is not standardized and is used in various toolchains with distinct semantics.