JavaScript: Best Practices for Functions and Classes

Course details

JavaScript uses C-based syntax, but the structures at its core, namely functions and classes, behave very differently than C behaves. Leveraging recommended techniques can help you develop JavaScript code that is more consistent and easier to maintain. In this course, explore best practices for architecting your programs. Consider ways that details can take paths that differ from other programming languages. Learn about creating well-built, organized, modular, and high-quality code by using a style guide, modern deployment tools, and strict mode. Discover how to carefully construct functions using more predictable expressions over declarations and by avoiding the modification of parameter values. Examine the dos—and don’ts—of “this” values and learn about which JavaScript features to avoid.

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Creating well-structured modular JavaScript
02 - What you should know
03 - Setting up your environment

1. Why Best Practices

04 - Understanding style guides
05 - Using modern deployment tools
06 - Understanding ESLint
07 - Foundational practice - Always use strict mode

2. Creating Functions

08 - Use function expressions instead of declarations
09 - Don't use the new keyword to construct functions
10 - Leave parameter values untouched
11 - Use arrow syntax for anonymous functions
12 - Rely on implicit return only when obvious
13 - Challenge - Create functions
14 - Solution - Create functions

3. Creating Classes

15 - Use PascalCase for naming classes and constructors
16 - Use this only in classes or constructors
17 - Return this from methods
18 - Don't assign this to another variable
19 - Challenge - Create classes
20 - Solution - Create classes

4. Creating Modules

21 - Configure module settings in ESLint
22 - Default export constants when possible
23 - Use case to indicate a module's default export type

5. Destructuring

24 - Use object destructuring
25 - Use array destructuring
26 - Challenge - Destructure
27 - Solution - Destructure

6. JavaScript Features to Avoid

28 - Avoid eval
29 - Avoid and
30 - Avoid with
31 - Avoid unary increments and decrements

Conclusion

32 - Next steps

JavaScript: Best Practices for Functions and Classes

Authors

Sasha Vodnik