Import Maps
Import Maps is a web platform specification that allows developers to control how JavaScript modules are resolved in the browser, enabling the use of bare module specifiers (like 'react' instead of './node_modules/react/index.js') without a build step. It provides a JSON-based mapping between module names and their actual URLs, making it easier to manage dependencies directly in the browser. This tool is part of the effort to bring native ES modules to the web with better developer ergonomics.
Developers should learn Import Maps when building modern web applications that rely on ES modules and want to avoid complex bundling tools for development or simple deployments. It's particularly useful for prototyping, educational projects, or applications where a lightweight setup is preferred, as it allows importing npm packages directly in the browser. Use cases include quick demos, micro-frontends, or scenarios where minimizing build tool overhead is a priority.