1<!DOCTYPE html> 2<html lang="en"> 3<head> 4 <meta charset="utf-8"> 5 <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width"> 6 <meta name="nodejs.org:node-version" content="v14.21.2"> 7 <title>REPL | Node.js v14.21.2 Documentation</title> 8 <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Lato:400,700,400italic&display=fallback"> 9 <link rel="stylesheet" href="assets/style.css"> 10 <link rel="stylesheet" href="assets/hljs.css"> 11 <link rel="canonical" href="https://nodejs.org/api/repl.html"> 12</head> 13<body class="alt apidoc" id="api-section-repl"> 14 <div id="content" class="clearfix"> 15 <div id="column2" class="interior"> 16 <div id="intro" class="interior"> 17 <a href="/" title="Go back to the home page"> 18 Node.js 19 </a> 20 </div> 21 <ul> 22<li><a href="documentation.html" class="nav-documentation">About this documentation</a></li> 23<li><a href="synopsis.html" class="nav-synopsis">Usage and example</a></li> 24</ul> 25<hr class="line"> 26<ul> 27<li><a 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<header> 91 <div class="header-container"> 92 <h1>Node.js v14.21.2 documentation</h1> 93 <button class="theme-toggle-btn" id="theme-toggle-btn" title="Toggle dark mode/light mode" aria-label="Toggle dark mode/light mode" hidden> 94 <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon dark-icon" height="24" width="24"> 95 <path fill="none" d="M0 0h24v24H0z" /> 96 <path d="M11.1 12.08c-2.33-4.51-.5-8.48.53-10.07C6.27 2.2 1.98 6.59 1.98 12c0 .14.02.28.02.42.62-.27 1.29-.42 2-.42 1.66 0 3.18.83 4.1 2.15A4.01 4.01 0 0111 18c0 1.52-.87 2.83-2.12 3.51.98.32 2.03.5 3.11.5 3.5 0 6.58-1.8 8.37-4.52-2.36.23-6.98-.97-9.26-5.41z"/> 97 <path d="M7 16h-.18C6.4 14.84 5.3 14 4 14c-1.66 0-3 1.34-3 3s1.34 3 3 3h3c1.1 0 2-.9 2-2s-.9-2-2-2z"/> 98 </svg> 99 <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" class="icon light-icon" height="24" width="24"> 100 <path d="M0 0h24v24H0z" fill="none" /> 101 <path d="M6.76 4.84l-1.8-1.79-1.41 1.41 1.79 1.79 1.42-1.41zM4 10.5H1v2h3v-2zm9-9.95h-2V3.5h2V.55zm7.45 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href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v15.x/api/repl.html">15.x</a></li> 124<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v14.x/api/repl.html">14.x <b>LTS</b></a></li> 125<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v13.x/api/repl.html">13.x</a></li> 126<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v12.x/api/repl.html">12.x</a></li> 127<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v11.x/api/repl.html">11.x</a></li> 128<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v10.x/api/repl.html">10.x</a></li> 129<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v9.x/api/repl.html">9.x</a></li> 130<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v8.x/api/repl.html">8.x</a></li> 131<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v7.x/api/repl.html">7.x</a></li> 132<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v6.x/api/repl.html">6.x</a></li> 133<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v5.x/api/repl.html">5.x</a></li> 134<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v4.x/api/repl.html">4.x</a></li> 135<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v0.12.x/api/repl.html">0.12.x</a></li> 136<li><a href="https://nodejs.org/docs/latest-v0.10.x/api/repl.html">0.10.x</a></li></ol> 137 </li> 138 139 <li class="edit_on_github"><a href="https://github.com/nodejs/node/edit/master/doc/api/repl.md">Edit on GitHub</a></li> 140 </ul> 141 </div> 142 <hr> 143 </header> 144 145 <details id="toc" open><summary>Table of contents</summary><ul> 146<li><span class="stability_2"><a href="#repl_repl">REPL</a></span> 147<ul> 148<li><a href="#repl_design_and_features">Design and features</a> 149<ul> 150<li><a href="#repl_commands_and_special_keys">Commands and special keys</a></li> 151<li><a href="#repl_default_evaluation">Default evaluation</a> 152<ul> 153<li><a href="#repl_javascript_expressions">JavaScript expressions</a></li> 154<li><a href="#repl_global_and_local_scope">Global and local scope</a></li> 155<li><a href="#repl_accessing_core_node_js_modules">Accessing core Node.js modules</a></li> 156<li><a href="#repl_global_uncaught_exceptions">Global uncaught exceptions</a></li> 157<li><a href="#repl_assignment_of_the_underscore_variable">Assignment of the <code>_</code> (underscore) variable</a></li> 158<li><a href="#repl_await_keyword"><code>await</code> keyword</a></li> 159</ul> 160</li> 161<li><a href="#repl_reverse_i_search">Reverse-i-search</a></li> 162<li><a href="#repl_custom_evaluation_functions">Custom evaluation functions</a> 163<ul> 164<li><a href="#repl_recoverable_errors">Recoverable errors</a></li> 165</ul> 166</li> 167<li><a href="#repl_customizing_repl_output">Customizing REPL output</a></li> 168</ul> 169</li> 170<li><a href="#repl_class_replserver">Class: <code>REPLServer</code></a> 171<ul> 172<li><a href="#repl_event_exit">Event: <code>'exit'</code></a></li> 173<li><a href="#repl_event_reset">Event: <code>'reset'</code></a></li> 174<li><a href="#repl_replserver_definecommand_keyword_cmd"><code>replServer.defineCommand(keyword, cmd)</code></a></li> 175<li><a href="#repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor"><code>replServer.displayPrompt([preserveCursor])</code></a></li> 176<li><a href="#repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand"><code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code></a></li> 177<li><span class="stability_0"><a href="#repl_replserver_parsereplkeyword_keyword_rest"><code>replServer.parseREPLKeyword(keyword[, rest])</code></a></span></li> 178<li><a href="#repl_replserver_setuphistory_historypath_callback"><code>replServer.setupHistory(historyPath, callback)</code></a></li> 179</ul> 180</li> 181<li><a href="#repl_repl_builtinmodules"><code>repl.builtinModules</code></a></li> 182<li><a href="#repl_repl_start_options"><code>repl.start([options])</code></a></li> 183<li><a href="#repl_the_node_js_repl">The Node.js REPL</a> 184<ul> 185<li><a href="#repl_environment_variable_options">Environment variable options</a></li> 186<li><a href="#repl_persistent_history">Persistent history</a></li> 187<li><a href="#repl_using_the_node_js_repl_with_advanced_line_editors">Using the Node.js REPL with advanced line-editors</a></li> 188<li><a href="#repl_starting_multiple_repl_instances_against_a_single_running_instance">Starting multiple REPL instances against a single running instance</a></li> 189</ul> 190</li> 191</ul> 192</li> 193</ul></details> 194 195 <div id="apicontent"> 196 <h2>REPL<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_repl" id="repl_repl">#</a></span></h2> 197 198<p></p><div class="api_stability api_stability_2"><a href="documentation.html#documentation_stability_index">Stability: 2</a> - Stable</div><p></p> 199<p><strong>Source Code:</strong> <a href="https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/v14.21.2/lib/repl.js">lib/repl.js</a></p> 200<p>The <code>repl</code> module provides a Read-Eval-Print-Loop (REPL) implementation that 201is available both as a standalone program or includible in other applications. 202It can be accessed using:</p> 203<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>);</code></pre> 204<section><h3>Design and features<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_design_and_features" id="repl_design_and_features">#</a></span></h3> 205<p>The <code>repl</code> module exports the <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> class. While running, 206instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> will accept individual lines of user input, 207evaluate those according to a user-defined evaluation function, then output the 208result. Input and output may be from <code>stdin</code> and <code>stdout</code>, respectively, or may 209be connected to any Node.js <a href="stream.html">stream</a>.</p> 210<p>Instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> support automatic completion of inputs, 211completion preview, simplistic Emacs-style line editing, multi-line inputs, 212<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell">ZSH</a>-like reverse-i-search, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell">ZSH</a>-like substring-based history search, 213ANSI-styled output, saving and restoring current REPL session state, error 214recovery, and customizable evaluation functions. Terminals that do not support 215ANSI styles and Emacs-style line editing automatically fall back to a limited 216feature set.</p> 217<h4>Commands and special keys<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_commands_and_special_keys" id="repl_commands_and_special_keys">#</a></span></h4> 218<p>The following special commands are supported by all REPL instances:</p> 219<ul> 220<li><code>.break</code>: When in the process of inputting a multi-line expression, enter 221the <code>.break</code> command (or press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>) to abort 222further input or processing of that expression.</li> 223<li><code>.clear</code>: Resets the REPL <code>context</code> to an empty object and clears any 224multi-line expression being input.</li> 225<li><code>.exit</code>: Close the I/O stream, causing the REPL to exit.</li> 226<li><code>.help</code>: Show this list of special commands.</li> 227<li><code>.save</code>: Save the current REPL session to a file: 228<code>> .save ./file/to/save.js</code></li> 229<li><code>.load</code>: Load a file into the current REPL session. 230<code>> .load ./file/to/load.js</code></li> 231<li><code>.editor</code>: Enter editor mode (<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd> to finish, 232<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> to cancel).</li> 233</ul> 234<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.editor</span> 235// Entering editor mode (^D to finish, ^C to cancel) 236function welcome(name) { 237 return `Hello ${name}!`; 238} 239 240welcome('Node.js User'); 241 242// ^D 243'Hello Node.js User!' 244<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre> 245<p>The following key combinations in the REPL have these special effects:</p> 246<ul> 247<li><kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>: When pressed once, has the same effect as the 248<code>.break</code> command. 249When pressed twice on a blank line, has the same effect as the <code>.exit</code> 250command.</li> 251<li><kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd>: Has the same effect as the <code>.exit</code> command.</li> 252<li><kbd>Tab</kbd>: When pressed on a blank line, displays global and local (scope) 253variables. When pressed while entering other input, displays relevant 254autocompletion options.</li> 255</ul> 256<p>For key bindings related to the reverse-i-search, see <a href="#repl_reverse_i_search"><code>reverse-i-search</code></a>. 257For all other key bindings, see <a href="readline.html#readline_tty_keybindings">TTY keybindings</a>.</p> 258<h4>Default evaluation<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_default_evaluation" id="repl_default_evaluation">#</a></span></h4> 259<p>By default, all instances of <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> use an evaluation function 260that evaluates JavaScript expressions and provides access to Node.js built-in 261modules. This default behavior can be overridden by passing in an alternative 262evaluation function when the <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance is created.</p> 263<h5>JavaScript expressions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_javascript_expressions" id="repl_javascript_expressions">#</a></span></h5> 264<p>The default evaluator supports direct evaluation of JavaScript expressions:</p> 265<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">1 + 1</span> 2662 267<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = 2</span> 268undefined 269<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m + 1</span> 2703</code></pre> 271<p>Unless otherwise scoped within blocks or functions, variables declared 272either implicitly or using the <code>const</code>, <code>let</code>, or <code>var</code> keywords 273are declared at the global scope.</p> 274<h5>Global and local scope<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_global_and_local_scope" id="repl_global_and_local_scope">#</a></span></h5> 275<p>The default evaluator provides access to any variables that exist in the global 276scope. It is possible to expose a variable to the REPL explicitly by assigning 277it to the <code>context</code> object associated with each <code>REPLServer</code>:</p> 278<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 279<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> msg = <span class="hljs-string">'message'</span>; 280 281repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>).<span class="hljs-property">context</span>.<span class="hljs-property">m</span> = msg;</code></pre> 282<p>Properties in the <code>context</code> object appear as local within the REPL:</p> 283<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">node repl_test.js</span> 284<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span> 285'message'</code></pre> 286<p>Context properties are not read-only by default. To specify read-only globals, 287context properties must be defined using <code>Object.defineProperty()</code>:</p> 288<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 289<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> msg = <span class="hljs-string">'message'</span>; 290 291<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>); 292<span class="hljs-title class_">Object</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">defineProperty</span>(r.<span class="hljs-property">context</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'m'</span>, { 293 <span class="hljs-attr">configurable</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">false</span>, 294 <span class="hljs-attr">enumerable</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">true</span>, 295 <span class="hljs-attr">value</span>: msg 296});</code></pre> 297<h5>Accessing core Node.js modules<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_accessing_core_node_js_modules" id="repl_accessing_core_node_js_modules">#</a></span></h5> 298<p>The default evaluator will automatically load Node.js core modules into the 299REPL environment when used. For instance, unless otherwise declared as a 300global or scoped variable, the input <code>fs</code> will be evaluated on-demand as 301<code>global.fs = require('fs')</code>.</p> 302<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">fs.createReadStream(<span class="hljs-string">'./some/file'</span>);</span></code></pre> 303<h5>Global uncaught exceptions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_global_uncaught_exceptions" id="repl_global_uncaught_exceptions">#</a></span></h5> 304<div class="api_metadata"> 305<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary> 306<table> 307<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr> 308<tr><td>v12.3.0</td> 309<td><p>The <code>'uncaughtException'</code> event is from now on triggered if the repl is used as standalone program.</p></td></tr> 310</tbody></table> 311</details> 312</div> 313<p>The REPL uses the <a href="domain.html"><code>domain</code></a> module to catch all uncaught exceptions for that 314REPL session.</p> 315<p>This use of the <a href="domain.html"><code>domain</code></a> module in the REPL has these side effects:</p> 316<ul> 317<li> 318<p>Uncaught exceptions only emit the <a href="process.html#process_event_uncaughtexception"><code>'uncaughtException'</code></a> event in the 319standalone REPL. Adding a listener for this event in a REPL within 320another Node.js program results in <a href="errors.html#errors_err_invalid_repl_input"><code>ERR_INVALID_REPL_INPUT</code></a>.</p> 321<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(); 322 323r.<span class="hljs-title function_">write</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'process.on("uncaughtException", () => console.log("Foobar"));\n'</span>); 324<span class="hljs-comment">// Output stream includes:</span> 325<span class="hljs-comment">// TypeError [ERR_INVALID_REPL_INPUT]: Listeners for `uncaughtException`</span> 326<span class="hljs-comment">// cannot be used in the REPL</span> 327 328r.<span class="hljs-title function_">close</span>();</code></pre> 329</li> 330<li> 331<p>Trying to use <a href="process.html#process_process_setuncaughtexceptioncapturecallback_fn"><code>process.setUncaughtExceptionCaptureCallback()</code></a> throws 332an <a href="errors.html#errors_err_domain_cannot_set_uncaught_exception_capture"><code>ERR_DOMAIN_CANNOT_SET_UNCAUGHT_EXCEPTION_CAPTURE</code></a> error.</p> 333</li> 334</ul> 335<h5>Assignment of the <code>_</code> (underscore) variable<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_assignment_of_the_underscore_variable" id="repl_assignment_of_the_underscore_variable">#</a></span></h5> 336<div class="api_metadata"> 337<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary> 338<table> 339<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr> 340<tr><td>v9.8.0</td> 341<td><p>Added <code>_error</code> support.</p></td></tr> 342</tbody></table> 343</details> 344</div> 345<p>The default evaluator will, by default, assign the result of the most recently 346evaluated expression to the special variable <code>_</code> (underscore). 347Explicitly setting <code>_</code> to a value will disable this behavior.</p> 348<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">[ <span class="hljs-string">'a'</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'b'</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'c'</span> ]</span> 349[ 'a', 'b', 'c' ] 350<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_.length</span> 3513 352<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_ += 1</span> 353Expression assignment to _ now disabled. 3544 355<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">1 + 1</span> 3562 357<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_</span> 3584</code></pre> 359<p>Similarly, <code>_error</code> will refer to the last seen error, if there was any. 360Explicitly setting <code>_error</code> to a value will disable this behavior.</p> 361<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">throw new Error(<span class="hljs-string">'foo'</span>);</span> 362Error: foo 363<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">_error.message</span> 364'foo'</code></pre> 365<h5><code>await</code> keyword<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_await_keyword" id="repl_await_keyword">#</a></span></h5> 366<p>With the <a href="cli.html#cli_experimental_repl_await"><code>--experimental-repl-await</code></a> command-line option specified, 367experimental support for the <code>await</code> keyword is enabled.</p> 368<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">await Promise.resolve(123)</span> 369123 370<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">await Promise.reject(new Error(<span class="hljs-string">'REPL await'</span>))</span> 371Error: REPL await 372 at repl:1:45 373<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const timeout = util.promisify(setTimeout);</span> 374undefined 375<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const old = Date.now(); await timeout(1000); console.log(Date.now() - old);</span> 3761002 377undefined</code></pre> 378<p>One known limitation of using the <code>await</code> keyword in the REPL is that 379it will invalidate the lexical scoping of the <code>const</code> and <code>let</code> 380keywords.</p> 381<p>For example:</p> 382<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = await Promise.resolve(123)</span> 383undefined 384<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span> 385123 386<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const m = await Promise.resolve(234)</span> 387undefined 388<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span> 389234</code></pre> 390<h4>Reverse-i-search<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_reverse_i_search" id="repl_reverse_i_search">#</a></span></h4> 391<div class="api_metadata"> 392<span>Added in: v13.6.0</span> 393</div> 394<p>The REPL supports bi-directional reverse-i-search similar to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_shell">ZSH</a>. It is 395triggered with <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>R</kbd> to search backward and 396<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>S</kbd> to search 397forwards.</p> 398<p>Duplicated history entries will be skipped.</p> 399<p>Entries are accepted as soon as any key is pressed that doesn't correspond 400with the reverse search. Cancelling is possible by pressing <kbd>Esc</kbd> or 401<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd>.</p> 402<p>Changing the direction immediately searches for the next entry in the expected 403direction from the current position on.</p> 404<h4>Custom evaluation functions<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_custom_evaluation_functions" id="repl_custom_evaluation_functions">#</a></span></h4> 405<p>When a new <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> is created, a custom evaluation function may be 406provided. This can be used, for instance, to implement fully customized REPL 407applications.</p> 408<p>The following illustrates a hypothetical example of a REPL that performs 409translation of text from one language to another:</p> 410<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 411<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> { <span class="hljs-title class_">Translator</span> } = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'translator'</span>); 412 413<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> myTranslator = <span class="hljs-keyword">new</span> <span class="hljs-title class_">Translator</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'en'</span>, <span class="hljs-string">'fr'</span>); 414 415<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myEval</span>(<span class="hljs-params">cmd, context, filename, callback</span>) { 416 <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, myTranslator.<span class="hljs-title function_">translate</span>(cmd)); 417} 418 419repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>, <span class="hljs-attr">eval</span>: myEval });</code></pre> 420<h5>Recoverable errors<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_recoverable_errors" id="repl_recoverable_errors">#</a></span></h5> 421<p>At the REPL prompt, pressing <kbd>Enter</kbd> sends the current line of input to 422the <code>eval</code> function. In order to support multi-line input, the <code>eval</code> function 423can return an instance of <code>repl.Recoverable</code> to the provided callback function:</p> 424<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myEval</span>(<span class="hljs-params">cmd, context, filename, callback</span>) { 425 <span class="hljs-keyword">let</span> result; 426 <span class="hljs-keyword">try</span> { 427 result = vm.<span class="hljs-title function_">runInThisContext</span>(cmd); 428 } <span class="hljs-keyword">catch</span> (e) { 429 <span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (<span class="hljs-title function_">isRecoverableError</span>(e)) { 430 <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-keyword">new</span> repl.<span class="hljs-title class_">Recoverable</span>(e)); 431 } 432 } 433 <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, result); 434} 435 436<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">isRecoverableError</span>(<span class="hljs-params">error</span>) { 437 <span class="hljs-keyword">if</span> (error.<span class="hljs-property">name</span> === <span class="hljs-string">'SyntaxError'</span>) { 438 <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> <span class="hljs-regexp">/^(Unexpected end of input|Unexpected token)/</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">test</span>(error.<span class="hljs-property">message</span>); 439 } 440 <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> <span class="hljs-literal">false</span>; 441}</code></pre> 442<h4>Customizing REPL output<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_customizing_repl_output" id="repl_customizing_repl_output">#</a></span></h4> 443<p>By default, <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instances format output using the 444<a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options"><code>util.inspect()</code></a> method before writing the output to the provided <code>Writable</code> 445stream (<code>process.stdout</code> by default). The <code>showProxy</code> inspection option is set 446to true by default and the <code>colors</code> option is set to true depending on the 447REPL's <code>useColors</code> option.</p> 448<p>The <code>useColors</code> boolean option can be specified at construction to instruct the 449default writer to use ANSI style codes to colorize the output from the 450<code>util.inspect()</code> method.</p> 451<p>If the REPL is run as standalone program, it is also possible to change the 452REPL's <a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options">inspection defaults</a> from inside the REPL by using the 453<code>inspect.replDefaults</code> property which mirrors the <code>defaultOptions</code> from 454<a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options"><code>util.inspect()</code></a>.</p> 455<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">util.inspect.replDefaults.compact = <span class="hljs-literal">false</span>;</span> 456false 457<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">[1]</span> 458[ 459 1 460] 461<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre> 462<p>To fully customize the output of a <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance pass in a new 463function for the <code>writer</code> option on construction. The following example, for 464instance, simply converts any input text to upper case:</p> 465<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 466 467<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'> '</span>, <span class="hljs-attr">eval</span>: myEval, <span class="hljs-attr">writer</span>: myWriter }); 468 469<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myEval</span>(<span class="hljs-params">cmd, context, filename, callback</span>) { 470 <span class="hljs-title function_">callback</span>(<span class="hljs-literal">null</span>, cmd); 471} 472 473<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">myWriter</span>(<span class="hljs-params">output</span>) { 474 <span class="hljs-keyword">return</span> output.<span class="hljs-title function_">toUpperCase</span>(); 475}</code></pre> 476</section><section><h3>Class: <code>REPLServer</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_class_replserver" id="repl_class_replserver">#</a></span></h3> 477<div class="api_metadata"> 478<span>Added in: v0.1.91</span> 479</div> 480<ul> 481<li><code>options</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object" class="type"><Object></a> | <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type"><string></a> See <a href="#repl_repl_start_options"><code>repl.start()</code></a></li> 482<li>Extends: <a href="readline.html#readline_class_interface" class="type"><readline.Interface></a></li> 483</ul> 484<p>Instances of <code>repl.REPLServer</code> are created using the <a href="#repl_repl_start_options"><code>repl.start()</code></a> method 485or directly using the JavaScript <code>new</code> keyword.</p> 486<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 487 488<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> options = { <span class="hljs-attr">useColors</span>: <span class="hljs-literal">true</span> }; 489 490<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> firstInstance = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(options); 491<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> secondInstance = <span class="hljs-keyword">new</span> repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">REPLServer</span>(options);</code></pre> 492<h4>Event: <code>'exit'</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_event_exit" id="repl_event_exit">#</a></span></h4> 493<div class="api_metadata"> 494<span>Added in: v0.7.7</span> 495</div> 496<p>The <code>'exit'</code> event is emitted when the REPL is exited either by receiving the 497<code>.exit</code> command as input, the user pressing <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> twice 498to signal <code>SIGINT</code>, 499or by pressing <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>D</kbd> to signal <code>'end'</code> on the input 500stream. The listener 501callback is invoked without any arguments.</p> 502<pre><code class="language-js">replServer.<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> { 503 <span class="hljs-variable language_">console</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'Received "exit" event from repl!'</span>); 504 process.<span class="hljs-title function_">exit</span>(); 505});</code></pre> 506<h4>Event: <code>'reset'</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_event_reset" id="repl_event_reset">#</a></span></h4> 507<div class="api_metadata"> 508<span>Added in: v0.11.0</span> 509</div> 510<p>The <code>'reset'</code> event is emitted when the REPL's context is reset. This occurs 511whenever the <code>.clear</code> command is received as input <em>unless</em> the REPL is using 512the default evaluator and the <code>repl.REPLServer</code> instance was created with the 513<code>useGlobal</code> option set to <code>true</code>. The listener callback will be called with a 514reference to the <code>context</code> object as the only argument.</p> 515<p>This can be used primarily to re-initialize REPL context to some pre-defined 516state:</p> 517<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 518 519<span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">initializeContext</span>(<span class="hljs-params">context</span>) { 520 context.<span class="hljs-property">m</span> = <span class="hljs-string">'test'</span>; 521} 522 523<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> r = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'> '</span> }); 524<span class="hljs-title function_">initializeContext</span>(r.<span class="hljs-property">context</span>); 525 526r.<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'reset'</span>, initializeContext);</code></pre> 527<p>When this code is executed, the global <code>'m'</code> variable can be modified but then 528reset to its initial value using the <code>.clear</code> command:</p> 529<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">./node example.js</span> 530<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span> 531'test' 532<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m = 1</span> 5331 534<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span> 5351 536<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.clear</span> 537Clearing context... 538<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">m</span> 539'test' 540<span class="hljs-meta">></span></code></pre> 541<h4><code>replServer.defineCommand(keyword, cmd)</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_definecommand_keyword_cmd" id="repl_replserver_definecommand_keyword_cmd">#</a></span></h4> 542<div class="api_metadata"> 543<span>Added in: v0.3.0</span> 544</div> 545<ul> 546<li><code>keyword</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type"><string></a> The command keyword (<em>without</em> a leading <code>.</code> character).</li> 547<li><code>cmd</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object" class="type"><Object></a> | <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type"><Function></a> The function to invoke when the command is processed.</li> 548</ul> 549<p>The <code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method is used to add new <code>.</code>-prefixed commands 550to the REPL instance. Such commands are invoked by typing a <code>.</code> followed by the 551<code>keyword</code>. The <code>cmd</code> is either a <code>Function</code> or an <code>Object</code> with the following 552properties:</p> 553<ul> 554<li><code>help</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type"><string></a> Help text to be displayed when <code>.help</code> is entered (Optional).</li> 555<li><code>action</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type"><Function></a> The function to execute, optionally accepting a single 556string argument.</li> 557</ul> 558<p>The following example shows two new commands added to the REPL instance:</p> 559<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 560 561<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> replServer = repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'> '</span> }); 562replServer.<span class="hljs-title function_">defineCommand</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'sayhello'</span>, { 563 <span class="hljs-attr">help</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Say hello'</span>, 564 <span class="hljs-title function_">action</span>(<span class="hljs-params">name</span>) { 565 <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">clearBufferedCommand</span>(); 566 <span class="hljs-variable language_">console</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">`Hello, <span class="hljs-subst">${name}</span>!`</span>); 567 <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">displayPrompt</span>(); 568 } 569}); 570replServer.<span class="hljs-title function_">defineCommand</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'saybye'</span>, <span class="hljs-keyword">function</span> <span class="hljs-title function_">saybye</span>(<span class="hljs-params"></span>) { 571 <span class="hljs-variable language_">console</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'Goodbye!'</span>); 572 <span class="hljs-variable language_">this</span>.<span class="hljs-title function_">close</span>(); 573});</code></pre> 574<p>The new commands can then be used from within the REPL instance:</p> 575<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.sayhello Node.js User</span> 576Hello, Node.js User! 577<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">.saybye</span> 578Goodbye!</code></pre> 579<h4><code>replServer.displayPrompt([preserveCursor])</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor" id="repl_replserver_displayprompt_preservecursor">#</a></span></h4> 580<div class="api_metadata"> 581<span>Added in: v0.1.91</span> 582</div> 583<ul> 584<li><code>preserveCursor</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type"><boolean></a></li> 585</ul> 586<p>The <code>replServer.displayPrompt()</code> method readies the REPL instance for input 587from the user, printing the configured <code>prompt</code> to a new line in the <code>output</code> 588and resuming the <code>input</code> to accept new input.</p> 589<p>When multi-line input is being entered, an ellipsis is printed rather than the 590'prompt'.</p> 591<p>When <code>preserveCursor</code> is <code>true</code>, the cursor placement will not be reset to <code>0</code>.</p> 592<p>The <code>replServer.displayPrompt</code> method is primarily intended to be called from 593within the action function for commands registered using the 594<code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method.</p> 595<h4><code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand" id="repl_replserver_clearbufferedcommand">#</a></span></h4> 596<div class="api_metadata"> 597<span>Added in: v9.0.0</span> 598</div> 599<p>The <code>replServer.clearBufferedCommand()</code> method clears any command that has been 600buffered but not yet executed. This method is primarily intended to be 601called from within the action function for commands registered using the 602<code>replServer.defineCommand()</code> method.</p> 603<h4><code>replServer.parseREPLKeyword(keyword[, rest])</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_parsereplkeyword_keyword_rest" id="repl_replserver_parsereplkeyword_keyword_rest">#</a></span></h4> 604<div class="api_metadata"> 605<span>Added in: v0.8.9</span><span>Deprecated since: v9.0.0</span> 606</div> 607<p></p><div class="api_stability api_stability_0"><a href="documentation.html#documentation_stability_index">Stability: 0</a> - Deprecated.</div><p></p> 608<ul> 609<li><code>keyword</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type"><string></a> the potential keyword to parse and execute</li> 610<li><code>rest</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Data_types" class="type"><any></a> any parameters to the keyword command</li> 611<li>Returns: <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type"><boolean></a></li> 612</ul> 613<p>An internal method used to parse and execute <code>REPLServer</code> keywords. 614Returns <code>true</code> if <code>keyword</code> is a valid keyword, otherwise <code>false</code>.</p> 615<h4><code>replServer.setupHistory(historyPath, callback)</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_replserver_setuphistory_historypath_callback" id="repl_replserver_setuphistory_historypath_callback">#</a></span></h4> 616<div class="api_metadata"> 617<span>Added in: v11.10.0</span> 618</div> 619<ul> 620<li><code>historyPath</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type"><string></a> the path to the history file</li> 621<li><code>callback</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type"><Function></a> called when history writes are ready or upon error 622<ul> 623<li><code>err</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Error" class="type"><Error></a></li> 624<li><code>repl</code> <a href="repl.html#repl_class_replserver" class="type"><repl.REPLServer></a></li> 625</ul> 626</li> 627</ul> 628<p>Initializes a history log file for the REPL instance. When executing the 629Node.js binary and using the command-line REPL, a history file is initialized 630by default. However, this is not the case when creating a REPL 631programmatically. Use this method to initialize a history log file when working 632with REPL instances programmatically.</p> 633</section><section><h3><code>repl.builtinModules</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_repl_builtinmodules" id="repl_repl_builtinmodules">#</a></span></h3> 634<div class="api_metadata"> 635<span>Added in: v14.5.0</span> 636</div> 637<ul> 638<li><a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type"><string[]></a></li> 639</ul> 640<p>A list of the names of all Node.js modules, e.g., <code>'http'</code>.</p> 641</section><section><h3><code>repl.start([options])</code><span><a class="mark" href="#repl_repl_start_options" id="repl_repl_start_options">#</a></span></h3> 642<div class="api_metadata"> 643<details class="changelog"><summary>History</summary> 644<table> 645<tbody><tr><th>Version</th><th>Changes</th></tr> 646<tr><td>v13.4.0</td> 647<td><p>The <code>preview</code> option is now available.</p></td></tr> 648<tr><td>v12.0.0</td> 649<td><p>The <code>terminal</code> option now follows the default description in all cases and <code>useColors</code> checks <code>hasColors()</code> if available.</p></td></tr> 650<tr><td>v10.0.0</td> 651<td><p>The <code>REPL_MAGIC_MODE</code> <code>replMode</code> was removed.</p></td></tr> 652<tr><td>v6.3.0</td> 653<td><p>The <code>breakEvalOnSigint</code> option is supported now.</p></td></tr> 654<tr><td>v5.8.0</td> 655<td><p>The <code>options</code> parameter is optional now.</p></td></tr> 656<tr><td>v0.1.91</td> 657<td><p><span>Added in: v0.1.91</span></p></td></tr> 658</tbody></table> 659</details> 660</div> 661<ul> 662<li><code>options</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Object" class="type"><Object></a> | <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type"><string></a> 663<ul> 664<li><code>prompt</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#String_type" class="type"><string></a> The input prompt to display. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>'> '</code> 665(with a trailing space).</li> 666<li><code>input</code> <a href="stream.html#stream_class_stream_readable" class="type"><stream.Readable></a> The <code>Readable</code> stream from which REPL input will 667be read. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>process.stdin</code>.</li> 668<li><code>output</code> <a href="stream.html#stream_class_stream_writable" class="type"><stream.Writable></a> The <code>Writable</code> stream to which REPL output will 669be written. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>process.stdout</code>.</li> 670<li><code>terminal</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type"><boolean></a> If <code>true</code>, specifies that the <code>output</code> should be 671treated as a TTY terminal. 672<strong>Default:</strong> checking the value of the <code>isTTY</code> property on the <code>output</code> 673stream upon instantiation.</li> 674<li><code>eval</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type"><Function></a> The function to be used when evaluating each given line 675of input. <strong>Default:</strong> an async wrapper for the JavaScript <code>eval()</code> 676function. An <code>eval</code> function can error with <code>repl.Recoverable</code> to indicate 677the input was incomplete and prompt for additional lines.</li> 678<li><code>useColors</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type"><boolean></a> If <code>true</code>, specifies that the default <code>writer</code> 679function should include ANSI color styling to REPL output. If a custom 680<code>writer</code> function is provided then this has no effect. <strong>Default:</strong> checking 681color support on the <code>output</code> stream if the REPL instance's <code>terminal</code> value 682is <code>true</code>.</li> 683<li><code>useGlobal</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type"><boolean></a> If <code>true</code>, specifies that the default evaluation 684function will use the JavaScript <code>global</code> as the context as opposed to 685creating a new separate context for the REPL instance. The node CLI REPL 686sets this value to <code>true</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li> 687<li><code>ignoreUndefined</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type"><boolean></a> If <code>true</code>, specifies that the default writer 688will not output the return value of a command if it evaluates to 689<code>undefined</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li> 690<li><code>writer</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type"><Function></a> The function to invoke to format the output of each 691command before writing to <code>output</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> <a href="util.html#util_util_inspect_object_options"><code>util.inspect()</code></a>.</li> 692<li><code>completer</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Function" class="type"><Function></a> An optional function used for custom Tab auto 693completion. See <a href="readline.html#readline_use_of_the_completer_function"><code>readline.InterfaceCompleter</code></a> for an example.</li> 694<li><code>replMode</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Symbol_type" class="type"><symbol></a> A flag that specifies whether the default evaluator 695executes all JavaScript commands in strict mode or default (sloppy) mode. 696Acceptable values are: 697<ul> 698<li><code>repl.REPL_MODE_SLOPPY</code> to evaluate expressions in sloppy mode.</li> 699<li><code>repl.REPL_MODE_STRICT</code> to evaluate expressions in strict mode. This is 700equivalent to prefacing every repl statement with <code>'use strict'</code>.</li> 701</ul> 702</li> 703<li><code>breakEvalOnSigint</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type"><boolean></a> Stop evaluating the current piece of code when 704<code>SIGINT</code> is received, such as when <kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>C</kbd> is pressed. 705This cannot be used 706together with a custom <code>eval</code> function. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>false</code>.</li> 707<li><code>preview</code> <a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Data_structures#Boolean_type" class="type"><boolean></a> Defines if the repl prints autocomplete and output 708previews or not. <strong>Default:</strong> <code>true</code> with the default eval function and 709<code>false</code> in case a custom eval function is used. If <code>terminal</code> is falsy, then 710there are no previews and the value of <code>preview</code> has no effect.</li> 711</ul> 712</li> 713<li>Returns: <a href="repl.html#repl_class_replserver" class="type"><repl.REPLServer></a></li> 714</ul> 715<p>The <code>repl.start()</code> method creates and starts a <a href="#repl_class_replserver"><code>repl.REPLServer</code></a> instance.</p> 716<p>If <code>options</code> is a string, then it specifies the input prompt:</p> 717<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 718 719<span class="hljs-comment">// a Unix style prompt</span> 720repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'$ '</span>);</code></pre> 721</section><section><h3>The Node.js REPL<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_the_node_js_repl" id="repl_the_node_js_repl">#</a></span></h3> 722<p>Node.js itself uses the <code>repl</code> module to provide its own interactive interface 723for executing JavaScript. This can be used by executing the Node.js binary 724without passing any arguments (or by passing the <code>-i</code> argument):</p> 725<pre><code class="language-console"><span class="hljs-meta">$ </span><span class="language-bash">node</span> 726<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">const a = [1, 2, 3];</span> 727undefined 728<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">a</span> 729[ 1, 2, 3 ] 730<span class="hljs-meta">> </span><span class="language-bash">a.forEach((v) => {</span> 731... console.log(v); 732... }); 7331 7342 7353</code></pre> 736<h4>Environment variable options<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_environment_variable_options" id="repl_environment_variable_options">#</a></span></h4> 737<p>Various behaviors of the Node.js REPL can be customized using the following 738environment variables:</p> 739<ul> 740<li><code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY</code>: When a valid path is given, persistent REPL history 741will be saved to the specified file rather than <code>.node_repl_history</code> in the 742user's home directory. Setting this value to <code>''</code> (an empty string) will 743disable persistent REPL history. Whitespace will be trimmed from the value. 744On Windows platforms environment variables with empty values are invalid so 745set this variable to one or more spaces to disable persistent REPL history.</li> 746<li><code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY_SIZE</code>: Controls how many lines of history will be 747persisted if history is available. Must be a positive number. 748<strong>Default:</strong> <code>1000</code>.</li> 749<li><code>NODE_REPL_MODE</code>: May be either <code>'sloppy'</code> or <code>'strict'</code>. <strong>Default:</strong> 750<code>'sloppy'</code>, which will allow non-strict mode code to be run.</li> 751</ul> 752<h4>Persistent history<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_persistent_history" id="repl_persistent_history">#</a></span></h4> 753<p>By default, the Node.js REPL will persist history between <code>node</code> REPL sessions 754by saving inputs to a <code>.node_repl_history</code> file located in the user's home 755directory. This can be disabled by setting the environment variable 756<code>NODE_REPL_HISTORY=''</code>.</p> 757<h4>Using the Node.js REPL with advanced line-editors<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_using_the_node_js_repl_with_advanced_line_editors" id="repl_using_the_node_js_repl_with_advanced_line_editors">#</a></span></h4> 758<p>For advanced line-editors, start Node.js with the environment variable 759<code>NODE_NO_READLINE=1</code>. This will start the main and debugger REPL in canonical 760terminal settings, which will allow use with <code>rlwrap</code>.</p> 761<p>For example, the following can be added to a <code>.bashrc</code> file:</p> 762<pre><code class="language-text">alias node="env NODE_NO_READLINE=1 rlwrap node"</code></pre> 763<h4>Starting multiple REPL instances against a single running instance<span><a class="mark" href="#repl_starting_multiple_repl_instances_against_a_single_running_instance" id="repl_starting_multiple_repl_instances_against_a_single_running_instance">#</a></span></h4> 764<p>It is possible to create and run multiple REPL instances against a single 765running instance of Node.js that share a single <code>global</code> object but have 766separate I/O interfaces.</p> 767<p>The following example, for instance, provides separate REPLs on <code>stdin</code>, a Unix 768socket, and a TCP socket:</p> 769<pre><code class="language-js"><span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> net = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'net'</span>); 770<span class="hljs-keyword">const</span> repl = <span class="hljs-built_in">require</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'repl'</span>); 771<span class="hljs-keyword">let</span> connections = <span class="hljs-number">0</span>; 772 773repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ 774 <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via stdin> '</span>, 775 <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: process.<span class="hljs-property">stdin</span>, 776 <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: process.<span class="hljs-property">stdout</span> 777}); 778 779net.<span class="hljs-title function_">createServer</span>(<span class="hljs-function">(<span class="hljs-params">socket</span>) =></span> { 780 connections += <span class="hljs-number">1</span>; 781 repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ 782 <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via Unix socket> '</span>, 783 <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: socket, 784 <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: socket 785 }).<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> { 786 socket.<span class="hljs-title function_">end</span>(); 787 }); 788}).<span class="hljs-title function_">listen</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'/tmp/node-repl-sock'</span>); 789 790net.<span class="hljs-title function_">createServer</span>(<span class="hljs-function">(<span class="hljs-params">socket</span>) =></span> { 791 connections += <span class="hljs-number">1</span>; 792 repl.<span class="hljs-title function_">start</span>({ 793 <span class="hljs-attr">prompt</span>: <span class="hljs-string">'Node.js via TCP socket> '</span>, 794 <span class="hljs-attr">input</span>: socket, 795 <span class="hljs-attr">output</span>: socket 796 }).<span class="hljs-title function_">on</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'exit'</span>, <span class="hljs-function">() =></span> { 797 socket.<span class="hljs-title function_">end</span>(); 798 }); 799}).<span class="hljs-title function_">listen</span>(<span class="hljs-number">5001</span>);</code></pre> 800<p>Running this application from the command line will start a REPL on stdin. 801Other REPL clients may connect through the Unix socket or TCP socket. <code>telnet</code>, 802for instance, is useful for connecting to TCP sockets, while <code>socat</code> can be used 803to connect to both Unix and TCP sockets.</p> 804<p>By starting a REPL from a Unix socket-based server instead of stdin, it is 805possible to connect to a long-running Node.js process without restarting it.</p> 806<p>For an example of running a "full-featured" (<code>terminal</code>) REPL over 807a <code>net.Server</code> and <code>net.Socket</code> instance, see: 808<a href="https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2209310">https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2209310</a>.</p> 809<p>For an example of running a REPL instance over <a href="https://curl.haxx.se/docs/manpage.html"><code>curl(1)</code></a>, see: 810<a href="https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2053342">https://gist.github.com/TooTallNate/2053342</a>.</p></section> 811 <!-- API END --> 812 </div> 813 </div> 814 </div> 815 <script> 816 'use strict'; 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