Alternatives to __dirname in Node.js with ES modules

The text discusses the transition from CommonJS to ES modules (ESM) in Node.js, highlighting challenges such as the absence of certain global variables like `__dirname` and `__filename` in the ESM environment. It explains how developers can adapt to this change by using `import.meta.url` and Node's URL module to mimic the functionality of these variables, which are essential for file path operations. The text also explores the differences between URL handling and traditional path manipulation, emphasizing the importance of understanding these distinctions for effective code migration. Additionally, it touches upon the interoperability between URL and path strings, advising on best practices like using Node's `url.fileURLToPath` to avoid potential pitfalls. The article concludes with some general thoughts on Node's ESM mode and offers a brief mention of LogRocket, a tool for monitoring web application performance.