Exports

Exports allow resources to share functions with other resources.

Defining Exports

Server Export


-- server.lua
exports('getPlayerData', function(source)
    local xPlayer = ESX.GetPlayerFromId(source)
    return xPlayer
end)

Client Export


-- client.lua
exports('showNotification', function(message)
    -- Show notification
end)

Consuming Exports

Server


local playerData = exports['myresource']:getPlayerData(source)

Client


exports['myresource']:showNotification('Hello!')

Namespacing

Use resource name as namespace:


-- Good
exports['qb-core']:GetPlayer(source)
 
-- Bad
exports:GetPlayer(source)

Error Handling Patterns

Checking Export Availability

Before calling an export, check if the resource is started to avoid errors.


if GetResourceState('ox_inventory') == 'started' then
    local items = exports.ox_inventory:Items()
else
    print('ox_inventory is not started')
end

Protected Calls (pcall)

Use pcall when the export might fail internally or return unexpected data.


local success, result = pcall(function()
    return exports['myresource']:riskyOperation()
end)
 
if success then
    print('Result:', result)
else
    print('Export call failed:', result)
end

Versioning Strategies

When updating exports, maintain backward compatibility.

Strategy A: Argument Inspection

Check arguments inside the export to support multiple formats.


exports('giveItem', function(target, item, count)
    if type(target) == 'table' then
        -- Handle new object-style arguments
        count = target.count
        item = target.item
        target = target.source
    end
    -- ... implementation
end)

Strategy B: Versioned Names

Create new exports for breaking changes.


exports('giveItem', function(...) end) -- v1 (Deprecated)
exports('giveItem_v2', function(opts) end) -- v2

Testing Exports

Create a test suite script to verify your exports behave as expected.


-- tests.lua
CreateThread(function()
    Wait(1000) -- Wait for resources to load
    
    print('Testing exports...')
    
    local result = exports['myresource']:calculate(5, 5)
    assert(result == 10, 'Math export failed')
    
    print('Tests passed!')
end)

Documentation Standards

Document your exports clearly in your README or code comments so other developers know how to use them.


--- @export getBalance
--- Retreives the current bank balance for a player
--- @param source number The player server ID
--- @param accountType string "bank" or "cash"
--- @return number The balance, or 0 if not found
exports('getBalance', function(source, accountType)
    -- ...
end)

Best Practices

Use descriptive names: getUser vs get.
Return values: Always return something (even false or nil) to confirm execution.
Async consideration: Remember exports are synchronous. For heavy tasks, use callbacks or events.