Protobuf: js/{closure,commonjs}: create a new js_module option

[glerchundi]

What language does this apply to?

If it's a proto syntax change, is it for proto2 or proto3? proto3
If it's about generated code change, what programming language? javascript/commonjs but it can be applied to es6 or closure as well.

Describe the problem you are trying to solve.

We are generating code of multiple packages that we want to publish independently but with references between them. Currently the generator creates a tightly coupled relative paths between folders.

Describe the solution you'd like

An option like Go's go_package or C#'s csharp_namespace where I can put the import path, in this case the JS module.

I think a js_module called option would do the trick.

Describe alternatives you've considered

Overriding the generated code.

[glerchundi]

@xfxyjwf friendly ping!

[aberasarte]

Any update on this ?

[glerchundi]

Another friendly ping to @anandolee @TeBoring @BSBandme!

[glerchundi]

This is related to #2198, is it possible any maintainer give us a status update or how they think this can be solved/workaround?

We want to start collaborating with envoyproxy/lyft and its protoc-gen-validate and this would open up the possibility to make it happen.

[BSBandme]

In fact internally we have some options to tweak the namespace. But we still don't have a way for commonjs. There're some legacy reasons that we didn't open source this (we have several different js protobuf implementations internally).

Will discuss about this in next team meeting.

[glerchundi]

In fact internally we have some options to tweak the namespace. But we still don't have a way for commonjs. There're some legacy reasons that we didn't open source this (we have several different js protobuf implementations internally).

Thanks for the update and the details.

Will discuss about this in next team meeting.

Did that meeting already occurred, and it case it did do you have a path forward for this issue?

Thanks.

[glerchundi]

Believe me that I feel really really bad for pinging you all again but we're really interested in working on this and would love to see at least a status update and/or roadmap for a possible publishing or reimplementation on upstream. 🙏

[4nte]

@BSBandme, can you tell us if there are any plans to implement this or suggest a workaround, I'd greatly appreciate it!

This is blocking for me, I'm planning to work around this by patching the generated code to remove relative imports with corresponding npm packages.
That is, replace require("../sibling/sibling.proto") with require("npmlib/sibling.proto").

I'm trying to decouple proto packages into separate npm modules, and have them depend on each other.

[aberasarte]

That is, replace require("../sibling/sibling.proto") with require("npmlib/sibling.proto").

This is exactly what we are doing. We have a shell script that replaces the relative imports with package imports. It's ugly and error prone but is the only workaround we have at the moment.

It's been a while since the last update, I would love to hear if there are any plans to add this feature in the near future.

[aberasarte]

@BSBandme could you shed some light on this matter please?

Our building script is now a little monster that is really hard to maintain and is breaking every time we add new dependencies.

This feature would make things much easier for us.

Thanks in advance

[buzzdan]

Watching this one closly
We also work with protos and node and would love to have validations with lyft's PGV project. (We work with it already in golang, clojure & python).

[buzzdan]

friendly ping to @anandolee @TeBoring @BSBandme 🙏

[glerchundi]

Also another friendly reminder for @perezd as he seems to be the one driving javascript related issues. 🙏

[perezd]

Howdy, thanks for reaching out. Addressing this is currently not on our roadmap at this time. We're in the process of revamping our comprehensive Protobuf support for JavaScript/TypeScript and would ask that you remain patient with us as we attempt to address the larger needs of the project both internally and externally. I hope you understand the position we're in with our resources and responsibilities.