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TypeError: superheroes.random is not a function when using the "superheroes" npm package

I am trying to use the superheroes npm package in my Node.js project to generate a random superhero name, but I keep encountering an error:

TypeError: superheroes.random is not a function

Here is my code:

import superheroes from "superheroes";

const name = superheroes.random();

console.log(`I am ${name}!`);

When I run it, I also get this warning:

(MODULE_TYPELESS_PACKAGE_JSON) Warning: Module type of file is not specified and it doesn't parse as CommonJS. Reparsing as ES module because module syntax was detected.
To eliminate this warning, add "type": "module" to package.json.

Steps I've tried:

  1. Added "type": "module" in package.json to resolve the module type warning.

  2. Reinstalled the superheroes package using:

    npm uninstall superheroes
npm install superheroes

  3. Checked the Node.js version (node -v) and ensured it's up-to-date.

Observations:

  • When I log the superheroes object (console.log(superheroes);), it doesn't seem to have a random() function.

  • The superheroes.all property works fine (it contains a list of superhero names).

Why is superheroes.random not working as expected? Is there a bug in the package, or am I using it incorrectly? How can I generate a random superhero name using this package?

Solution

  • Back in version 3.0.0, you used to have a random() method. It was changed in 4.0.0, and is now called randomSuperhero().

    Either downgrade your installation to use 3.0.0, or, better yet, change your code to use the modern randomSuperhero().