JavaScript Best Practices

Avoid global variables, avoid new, avoid ==, avoid eval()

Avoid Global Variables

Minimize the use of global variables.

This includes all data types, objects, and functions.

Global variables and functions can be overwritten by other scripts.

Use local variables instead, and learn how to use closures.

Always Declare Local Variables

All variables used in a function should be declared as local variables.

Local variables must be declared with the var keyword, otherwise they will become global variables.

Declarations on Top

It is a good coding practice to put all declarations at the top of each script or function.

This will:

• Give cleaner code
• Provide a single place to look for local variables
• Make it easier to avoid unwanted (implied) global variables
• Reduce the possibility of unwanted re-declarations

By default, JavaScript moves all declarations to the top (JavaScript hoisting).

Initialize Variables

It is a good coding practice to initialize variables when you declare them.

This will:

• Give cleaner code
• Provide a single place to initialize variables
• Avoid undefined values

// Declare and initiate at the beginning
var firstName = "",
    lastName = "",
    price = 0,
    discount = 0,
    fullPrice = 0,
    myArray = [],
    myObject = {};

Never Declare Number, String, or Boolean Objects

Always treat numbers, strings, or booleans as primitive values. Not as objects.

Declaring these types as objects, slows down execution speed, and produces nasty side effects:

var x = "John";             
var y = new String("John");
(x === y) // is false because x is a string and y is an object.

Or even worse:

var x = new String("John");             
var y = new String("John");
(x == y) // is false because you cannot compare objects.

Don't Use new Object()

• Use {} instead of new Object()
• Use "" instead of new String()
• Use 0 instead of new Number()
• Use false instead of new Boolean()
• Use [] instead of new Array()
• Use /()/ instead of new RegExp()
• Use function (){} instead of new Function()

Beware of Automatic Type Conversions

Beware that numbers can accidentally be converted to strings or NaN (Not a Number).

JavaScript is loosely typed. A variable can contain different data types, and a variable can change its data type:

var x = "Hello";     // typeof x is a string
x = 5;               // changes typeof x to a number

When doing mathematical operations, JavaScript can convert numbers to strings:

var x = 5 + 7;       // x.valueOf() is 12,  typeof x is a number
var x = 5 + "7";     // x.valueOf() is 57,  typeof x is a string
var x = "5" + 7;     // x.valueOf() is 57,  typeof x is a string
var x = 5 - 7;       // x.valueOf() is -2,  typeof x is a number
var x = 5 - "7";     // x.valueOf() is -2,  typeof x is a number
var x = "5" - 7;     // x.valueOf() is -2,  typeof x is a number
var x = 5 - "x";     // x.valueOf() is NaN, typeof x is a number

Subtracting a string from a string, does not generate an error but returns NaN (Not a Number):

"Hello" - "Dolly"    // returns NaN

Use === Comparison

The == comparison operator always converts (to matching types) before comparison.

The === operator forces comparison of values and type:

0 == "";        // true
1 == "1";       // true
1 == true;      // true

0 === "";       // false
1 === "1";      // false
1 === true;     // false

Use Parameter Defaults

If a function is called with a missing argument, the value of the missing argument is set toundefined.

Undefined values can break your code. It is a good habit to assign default values to arguments.

function myFunction(x, y) {
    if (y === undefined) {
        y = 0;
    }
}

End Your Switches with Defaults

Always end your switch statements with a default. Even if you think there is no need for it.

switch (new Date().getDay()) {
    case 0:
        day = "Sunday";
        break;
    case 1:
        day = "Monday";
        break;
    case 2:
        day = "Tuesday";
        break;
    case 3:
        day = "Wednesday";
        break;
    case 4:
        day = "Thursday";
        break;
    case 5:
        day = "Friday";
        break;
    case 6:
        day = "Saturday";
        break;
    default:
        day = "Unknown";
}

Avoid Using eval()

The eval() function is used to run text as code. In almost all cases, it should not be necessary to use it.

Because it allows arbitrary code to be run, it also represents a security problem.

10-most-common-javascript-mistakes