Write Clean in JavaScript – In JavaScript, variables and functions should be named in the Camel case, which helps make the code easier to read. JavaScript also has conventions for function and variable names, such as the letter count function. This article covers these conventions and explains some common pitfalls. Clean coding is a crucial part of developing JavaScript applications.
Principles of Write Clean in JavaScript
Clean coding is the key to ensuring a program’s integrity. While harmful code may function adequately, it can bring a development team to its knees. Moreover, it can impact the logic of the program. It is vital to avoid writing harmful code when writing JavaScript applications.
Clean code is readable, reusable, and extensible. Writing clean code is an essential part of a development team, as it helps other developers read and understand the code. Though clean code takes more time in the short term, it can save developers time, effort, and money in the long run.
One of the principles of clean coding is the separation of concerns. Rather than having a single generic interface for all modules, a class should implement several smaller interfaces. Large amounts of functionality should be separated into separate categories. The idea of separation is to make it easier to read and maintain code.
Secondly, it is crucial to enclose variables and functions in a readable way. This makes testing easier. For example, a part that takes more than three arguments should have a test case for each of the three arguments. Otherwise, it is breaking the Single Responsibility Principle.
Camel case variable & function names
To avoid ambiguity, JavaScript variables and function names should be case-sensitive. As a rule of thumb, the first letter of the name should always be capitalized. However, you can use lowercase for the last letter. If the variable or function name is short, you should avoid capitalizing it.
When naming variables and functions, keep them short and indicate the data type. For example, count, length, or size suggest a number data type, and the name sounds like a string. Similarly, you should avoid using single-character variable names, except in the case of loops. Likewise, you should also prevent naming functions in a meaningless way and always use a verb as the first word. Standard conventions are described in the table below.
In JavaScript, single-word terms are usually sufficient, but many programmers choose to use a combination of multiple-word words. To separate multiple-word terms in a variable name, use an underscore character. This is safe and makes the name easier to read. If you want to use two-word words, combine underscores and camelCase.
Keeping code readable
Making code readable is easier than you think. You can follow some tips to ensure your code is easily readable. A code review is an excellent way to see whether your code is readable. It can also show you any misunderstandings. Testing your code with a friend before publishing it is also a good idea.
The code should be formatted consistently. This includes automatic formatting and the use of semicolons after each statement. The code should also contain at least nine lines without vertical indentation. Keeping code readable in JavaScript means avoiding common mistakes and following best practices. It also helps to ensure that variables and functions are named with meaningful names.
Code that is not readable can go unnoticed for a long time. Unless a developer notices it, the code will remain silent in the codebase, awaiting a moment when another developer tries to understand it. This could happen when a developer tries to update an existing system or add a new feature. Unreadable code is hard to maintain and rewrite and can lead to errors.
Avoid using callbacks and promises if you want to keep your code readable. These constructs are more legible than you’d like and are not recommended for beginners. Instead, try to use async/await. This construct is helpful for beginners and people from other languages. However, it is crucial to understand the concept behind it.
Another important tip is to avoid nested code. This will make it easier to read the code. Try using const instead of var to avoid using invalid reassignments. A linter can help you find bugs in your code. This is a much shorter solution than the previous one.
When using closures, make sure to use brackets. If you use braces, the compiler will recognize that the statement is a block. Braces are also necessary for all control structures.
Common pitfalls of writing clean code
Writing clean code is an important skill to master. It ensures your code functions correctly and is easier to read, extend and reuse. Apart from the benefits of writing clean code for the user, it also enhances the working environment of developers. Regardless of your programming language, it is crucial to write clean code to ensure it can be easily understood by other developers. This article will provide some tips and tricks for writing clean JavaScript code.
First of all, clean code makes onboarding new team members easier. You will not have to spend precious time explaining each line of code to them. Writing clean code is a bit more work, but it’s much more efficient than fixing sloppy code.
Second, you must avoid using undefined values. This is one of the most common pitfalls. When learning JavaScript, it’s tempting to dump all your code into a single function. Breaking functions into smaller parts makes the code easier to read and composable.
