created June 28, 2010 · complexity basic · author Sternebrau · version 7.0
This tip describes a simple way to automatically compile Javascript files using Google Closure. The compiled results are saved to a different file, for example, filename.js
saves as both filename.js
and filename.min.js
.
The regular way
- Edit .js file
- Save .js file
- Link it in .html file
- Compile .js file
- Link compiled version in .html file
- Edit .js file
- Save .js file
- Forget to compile it
- Become frustrated because the compiled version is still linked in .html file
Using this tip
- Edit .js file
- Save .js file
- Link compiled version in .html
- Edit .js file
- Save .js file
- Test (because it's automatically compiled!)
Auto compile
Add this to your vimrc, while changing the path in "cpa" to suit your system:
autocmd BufWriteCmd *.js :call CompileJS()
function! CompileJS()
if &modified
write
let fn = expand('%:p')
let pn = expand('%:p:h')
let fnm = expand('%:r.js')
let cpa = '/home/username/closure/compiler.jar'
execute "! java -jar " . cpa . " --js=" . fn . " --js_output_file=" . pn . "/" . fnm . ".min.js"
endif
endfunction
Alternative using :compiler
This procedure defines a closure compiler plugin that may be used rather than the above.
Put the following in .vim/compiler/closure.vim
:
if exists("current_compiler")
finish
endif
let current_compiler = "closure"
if exists(":CompilerSet") != 2
" older Vim always used :setlocal
command -nargs=* CompilerSet setlocal <args>
endif
CompilerSet makeprg=java\ -jar\ /home/username/closure/compiler.jar\ --js_output_file=%<.min.js\ --js\ %
CompilerSet errorformat=%E%f:%l:\ %m,%-Z%p^,%-C%.%#,%-G%.%#
Using this tip
- Edit .js file
- Set compiler:
:compiler closure
- Save .js file
:make
- Fix bugs (
:cope
,:cn
, etc), repeat. - Link compiled version in .html
- Test (because it's compiled while checking for errors!)
One could add the following to one's vimrc to automatically set the proper compiler, and to automatically invoke :make
after saving a file, opening the quickfix window if there are any errors:
autocmd FileType javascript compiler closure autocmd BufWritePost *.js make! autocmd BufWritePost *.js cwindow
Note the use of make!
instead of make
to avoid jumping to the first error automatically. This could be annoying when make is automatically invoked!
Then the process is:
- Edit .js file
- Save .js file
- Fix bugs (
:cope
,:cn
, etc), repeat. - Link compiled version in .html
- Test (because it's automatically compiled!)
Comments
- Could be expanded to other file types.