why node uses require not import?

Question

I'm learning node.js and am wondering why it uses the require syntax rather than the import syntax which React uses.

i.e.

const Validator = require("validator");

VS

import Validator from "validator";

I believed import is es6 but I don't think that explains why it's not used in node.

Answer 1

the import and default are newer ES6 features, not yet used by node. Node is actually already implementing the new features as experiment though: with the --experimental-modules flag and only for files saved with .mjs extension.

Transpilers like babel make it possible to write modern, spec approved and /or experimental ECMAScript. In an ecosystem of bundlers like Webpack with transpilers like babel, it becomes easy to write maintainable, future-proof javascript, while the code remains widely suported because it's transformed to commonjs (the format you see recognizable byrequire (the old-school import) and module.exports (the old-school export).

Answer 2

Probably for historical reasons. node.js and chrome (v8 engine) are older than ES6 standard.

On the other hand, see: How can I use an es6 import in node?

You may use import, too.