JavaScript modules, export and import

Let's consider web app project root directory which contains the following files:

scripts/common.js
scripts/array_demo.js
views/array_demo.html

Without modules:

scripts/common.js:

function clearElement(id) {...}
function log(text) {...}

scripts/array_demo.js:

function foo() {
    clearElement(...);
    log(...);
};

In HTML file scripts have to be added in order so functions, objects, or primitive values from previously included scripts are visible in scripts that use them:

views/array_demo.html:

         ...
         <script src='/scripts/common.js'></script>
         <script src='/scripts/array_demo.js'></script>
     </body>
 </html>

This can be a problem in case when there are many and/or complex dependencies. The solution is using ECMAScript modules. This will work in HTML5-compliant browsers.

With modules:

What is the difference between a common (classic) JavaScript script and a module?

A classic script is just a standard JavaScript script as you know it. A module script is one that contains an ES6 module, i.e. it uses (or: can use) import and export declarations. [source]

scripts/common.js:

function clearElement(id) {...}
function log(text) {...}

export {
    clearElement,
    log
};

scripts/array_demo.js:

import { clearElement, log} from './common.js';

function foo() {
    clearElement(...);
    log(...);
};

views/array_demo.html:

         ...
         <script type="module" src='/scripts/array_demo.js'></script>
     </body>
 </html>

export and import statements are defined in ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262).

module script type is available only in HTML5-compliant browsers [source].

Modules VS Require.JS

Require.JS "modularizes" JS scripts and basically emulates import/export functionality. With ES6 modules available there is no need to use Require.JS.

Further reading:

ECMAScript modules in browsers
ES6 In Depth: Modules
HTML/Element/script (MDN)
ECMAScript 6 modules: the final syntax
export (MDN)
import (MDN)
CommonJS vs AMD vs RequireJS vs ES6 Modules