@import search paths

[bringking]

Does less4j support adding non-relative search paths for import statements? For example, the less.js Node compiler "lessc" supports this with the --include-path option.

[SomMeri]

There is not such direct option, but there is a solution.

You can new LessSource type (maybe from FileSource) which would search for files in both current directory and in custom non-relative paths.

Using custom less source:

//create demo less file and compiler
File inputLessFile = createFile("sampleInput.less", "* { margin: 1 1 1 1; }");
LessCompiler compiler = new ThreadUnsafeLessCompiler();

//use custom less source
CompilationResult compilationResult = compiler.compile(new CustomFileSource(inputLessFile));

//print compiled css
System.out.println(compilationResult.getCss());

Either constructor or relativeSource method of your custom less source will contain something like this:

this.inputFile = new File(parent.inputFile.getParentFile(), filename);
if (!inputFile.exists()) {
  this.inputFile = new File(CUSTOM_PATH, filename);
}

Note: import-once feature uses LessSource.equals to check for multiple imports of the same file. If you are using it, your custom LessSource should implement it equals and hashCode.

[SomMeri]

Closing this as "answered". If you disagree, please re-open the issue again.