Micro-UMD format

gistfile1.js

/* The problem: writing boiler plate sucks.
 * Writing modules that aren't portable between Node.js and AMD also sucks.
 * Writing monolithic code (and not using modules) is perhaps worst of all, and
 * should be punishable by death.
 *
 * UMD stands for Universal Module Definition (https://github.com/umdjs/umd)
 * and provides boiler plate to create modules that work anywhere - but it's
 * bulky.
 *
 * Here's a minimal implementation which makes certain assumptions about
 * common node and AMD environments. It gets out of your way, so you can focus
 * on writing real code^TM.
 */

// Full version
(this.define || function(x, m) { m(require, module); })(['require', 'module'],
function (require, module) {

  // module code here
  module.exports = {};
});


// Annotated
// Get the 'define' function
(
  this.define // if it is declared, assume it's AMD define
  ||          // otherwise, we have to stub it out for Node's require
  function(x, m) { // we don't need the first variable- only AMD define uses it
                   // m is the function that defines the module. AMD calls it a
                   // factory function
    m(require, module); // Invoke the factory, passing through Node's require
              // and module object
  }
)       // Now we have a define function, let's invoke it immediately
(['require', 'module'], // tell AMD define which modules we need.
                        // We use the special 'require' and 'module' handlers
function (require, module) { // Create a module factory function

  // module code here
  module.exports = {}; // Use module.exports like we normally would

}); // close the factory function and the invocation paren


// Shorter version for modules with no dependencies
(this.define || function(x, m) { m(module); })(['module'],
function (module) {


  // module code here
  module.exports = {};
});


// In a tweet :)
(this.define||function(x,m){m(exports)})(['exports'],
function(exports){
  exports=function(){return 'OHAI @jrburke!'}
})

Disclaimer, @jrburke pointed out to me in a tweet that this format can't be used with the current r.js optimizer for anonymous modules. YMMV.