How can I reference typescript files without absolute paths?

Question

Since typescript doesn\'t seem to support absolute path references, I can\'t see how to keep my references tidy. I\'ve got ts files at many different locations in my folder stru

Answer 1

There is not currently a way to specify a root folder to use within references.

Absolute file paths do work, but maintenance of the paths generally speaking with multiple developers makes this likely a non-starter for many TypeScript development projects.

There have been discussions on CodePlex for example that expressed a similar request (but without a resolution). As TypeScript files are stand-alone, some have been concerned about introducing a "project" like scheme to the compiler.

Some developers will put the most commonly needed references in a single file (called for example, _references.d.ts) and list references to the definition files there. Then, that file will be referenced from other TypeScript files. It simplifies, but does not completely eliminate the problem (as you still will need to use relative file references with N levels of directory popping potentially):

/// 

Depending on how many files you have and the size of the definitions though, you may find that as files are individually compiled that the compile process will take longer (as it pulls in potentially unused definitions from the _references.d.ts file). (If you have for example, "compile on save" activated within an IDE).