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Getting ReactJS to use a local external js library

My new job involves mostly frontend work with various js libraries like ReactJS. I ran into the issue of wanting to include jquery.csv.js into a project and felt that existing documentation was lacking. Most google searches returned how to use something from a CDN. Our systems need to be able to run offline in the middle of Africa. A CDN isn’t going to cut the mustard.

First, get the library:

    npm install jquery-csv --save

Now we make a reference to it in webpack.config.js

    resolve: {
        alias: {
            ....
            'jquery-csv': path.resolve('./node_modules/jquery-csv')
        }
    }

FInally we tell the application about it (in app.js if you want)

    require('jquery-csv')

Restarting the server and checking the console, I can reference $.csv to my heart’s desire.