RequireJS: require a module return a function instead of a object - module

Question

I'm noticing a strange behaviour with RequireJS trying to assign a simple module value directly to a variable, like this:
App.tables = require(['appTables']);
The result of this call is that App.tables contain this function:
localRequire(deps, callback, errback)
while my appTables.js looks like this:
define({
users: {
name: 'tables.users',
data: {
name: {
visible: true,
hide: false,
display: 'Name'
},
surname: {
visible: true,
hide: false,
display: 'Surname'
}
}
}
});
Indeed trying to assign it in the classic way works:
require(['appTables'], function(appTables) {
App.tables = appTables;
});
So what's wrong with my first approach? Why does it return a function instead of the object? Thanks!

Answer 1

The simplified CommonJS format which you're using (App.tables = require('appTables')) is meant to be used within a module, as an alternative to the amd format where you assign an array of module dependencies to function arguments. It is not meant to be used in your main.js module (just use the standard require('appTables', function(appTables) { ... }); format for that).
In a module, you would wrap the require call in a define block, and pass the module name ('appTables'):
define(function(require) {
appTables = require('appTables');
... do something with appTables ...
});
See the documentation on the Simplified CommonJS Wrapper for details.
See also: Why use alternate requirejs define: define(function(require) { ... }