Techformist

Cloning objects in Javascript

📅 Jun 17, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 3 min read

Cloning objects is easier than ever before, but you have to remember a few nuances. We will discuss about two ways to clone/copy an object - Deep copy: copy object so that any subsequent changes to new object does not reflect in older object Shallow copy: copy props and child objects of an object, but the new object keeps pointing to the original Both have their uses.

Function returns undefined unless specified otherwise

📅 Jun 16, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 1 min read

Why is my function returning undefined when I have not mentioned that anywhere. The crux of the issue is in the topic header. All functions have to return something. If nothing is specified, they return undefined. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 function doSomething() { // do something } const something = doSomething(); console.

Why use JSON.stringify() in debugging statements?

📅 Jun 15, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 2 min read

Does JSON.stringify() have anything to do in debugging statements today? There were many Javascript-like systems that did not have the same tooling or debugging methods. I do not quite remember having browsers or ‘node’ print out the entire object back in the day - I may be wrong. So it was that I had to use console quite a bit, and what better way to print objects other than converting them to strings?

Use Strict in Inherited Javascript Code

📅 Jun 14, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 2 min read

You should use strict mode everywhere, but what about inherited code? Typically, you designate strict mode at the beginning of the module - 1 "use strict"; But the module and its friends may have millions of lines of code that you did not write and do not have time to fix.

Assign values vs. push in Javascript arrays

📅 Jun 13, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 1 min read

There is this myth that assigning array elements is better performant than push. I believe this originated from Javascript of yore, but is not relevant anymore. In fact, today push may be almost equal to or edge out assignment of array elements using keys (depending on runtime engine that is).

Nullify prop value vs deleting key in an object

📅 Jun 12, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 3 min read

It is common advise to nullify a prop value within an object rather than deleting the prop. Should you prefer one over the other? Especially, in performance intensive applications. Delete object prop What do you do when you do not need a key-value pair in an object? Why, we simply delete it, of course.

Use homogenous arrays to maintain sanity

📅 Jun 11, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 1 min read

Use values with same types in any array. Changing types (even for scenarios that you think are totally valid for the day) can rain down hell. Homogeneity of an array refers to using the same types of variables within an array. The following arrays are homogenous - 1 2 3 4 const fruits = ['apple', 'orange]; const nums = [0,1,2] const answers= [true, false]; The following arrays are not -

Is it really useful to cache array length in a for loop?

📅 Jun 10, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 2 min read

It is a commonly recommended practice to cache array lengths while doing for loops and get better performance. Seriously, is that a thing though? Typical for loop In a typical for, you calculate length, iterate and you are done. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 const arr = new Array(1e7).

Shortcuts to variable assignments in Javascript

📅 Jun 9, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 2 min read

You don’t have to see assigning values to variables as a chore. There are exciting ways to do those assignments - here are some shorthand ways. Initialize to same value You can initialize variables like so - 1 2 3 let i = 0; let j = 0; let k = 0; Or, you can instead do -

Using strict mode in Javascript

📅 Jun 8, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 2 min read

‘use strict’ is a rather useful statement to have at the beginning of all Javascript modules or functions. It ensures that all code in the module is executed in strict mode. The usage is simple enough. 1 2 3 4 "use strict"; // lot of code You can also enable strict mode to specific functions.

Avoid Scope Pollution in Javascript

📅 Jun 7, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 1 min read

It is quite easy to pollute global scope by defining variables or functions that impact core functions. 1 2 3 4 const parseInt = val => console.log("int parsed: ", val); parseInt(1); // int parsed: 1 parseInt has transformed into a printer, thanks to the above code. The practice of “overriding” global scope is not useful and should be avoided like the plague (If you are born in the wrong century - “plague is to be avoided at all costs”).

Use Right Syntax for a Map

📅 Jun 6, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 2 min read

Map on an array is simple enough - 1 2 3 const ran = ["1", "3", "5"].map(val => Number(val)); console.log("ran: ", ran); // ran: [ '1', '3', '5' ] map will specify one element at a time, which is passed to the callback function as val. Let’s say, we ignore the val.

Reusable Memoization Function

📅 Jun 5, 2019 · 📝 Apr 30, 2020 · ☕ 3 min read

Let us see how we could use a reusable function that can ‘memoize’ any given function. Memoization is a technique that can be used in long, recursive code to cache results from previous executions and speed up the overall process. Previously we have seen an overview memoization in JS with an example of generating Fibonacci series using such techniques.