Auto compile Javascript with Closure

A simple way to automatically compile Javascript files using Google Closure (and save the compiled results to a different file - 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

This way

• 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 file, while changing the path in "cpa"

autocmd BufWriteCmd *.js :call Compile_JS()
function! Compile_JS()
  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

Please email the author (Danny Sterne) to provide feedback on this tip.

See also

• Google Closure