evanw / evanw/esbuild

`file` loader should copy original timestamps

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Go
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Description

I am using `--loader=file` for some outputs which are further post-processed by `make` build tool.
The problem is esbuild always rewrites output files, even when inputs are unchanged. This leads to new timestamps and unnecessary rerunning of costly post-processing.

Ideally, no rewriting should occur for input files which are unchanged.
But copying file attributes like modification time will also work.

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Research direction

Start at the `--loader=file` path and reproduce the behavior with outputs consumed by `make`. Compare timestamps for outputs whose inputs are unchanged; done means those inputs no longer trigger unnecessary post-processing, either by avoiding rewrites or preserving file attributes.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
go
Domain
build-system
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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