JavaScript Style Guide
Welcome to the SOON_ JavaScript style guide. This style guide is mostly based on the javascript styleguide from Airbnb.
Table of Contents
- Types
- Objects
- Arrays
- Strings
- Functions
- Properties
- Variables
- Hoisting
- Conditional Expressions & Equality
- Blocks
- Comments
- Whitespace
- Commas
- Semicolons
- Type Casting & Coercion
- Naming Conventions
- Accessors
- Constructors
- Events
- jQuery
- ECMAScript 5 Compatibility
- Testing
- Orginal source: The JavaScript Style Guide Guide
- License
Types
-
Primitives: When you access a primitive type you work directly on its value
string
number
boolean
null
undefined
var foo = 1,
bar = foo;
bar = 9;
console.log(foo, bar);
-
Complex: When you access a complex type you work on a reference to its value
var foo = [1, 2],
bar = foo;
bar[0] = 9;
console.log(foo[0], bar[0]);
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Objects
-
Use the literal syntax for object creation.
var item = new Object();
var item = {};
-
Don't use reserved words as keys. It won't work in IE8. More info
var superman = {
default: { clark: "kent" },
private: true
};
var superman = {
defaults: { clark: "kent" },
hidden: true
};
-
Use readable synonyms in place of reserved words.
var superman = {
class: "alien"
};
var superman = {
klass: "alien"
};
var superman = {
type: "alien"
};
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Arrays
-
Use the literal syntax for array creation
var items = new Array();
var items = [];
-
If you don't know array length use Array.push()
.
var someStack = [];
someStack[someStack.length] = "abracadabra";
someStack.push("abracadabra");
-
When you need to copy an array use Array.slice()
. jsPerf
var len = items.length,
itemsCopy = [],
i;
for (i = 0; i < len; i++) {
itemsCopy[i] = items[i];
}
itemsCopy = items.slice();
-
To convert an array-like object to an array, use Array.slice()
.
function trigger() {
var args = Array.slice(arguments);
...
}
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Strings
-
Use double quotes ""
for strings
var name = 'Bob Parr';
var name = "Bob Parr";
var fullName = 'Bob ' + this.lastName;
var fullName = "Bob " + this.lastName;
-
Strings longer than 80 characters should be written across multiple lines using string concatenation.
-
Note: If overused, long strings with concatenation could impact performance. jsPerf & Discussion
var errorMessage = "This is a super long error that was thrown because of Batman. When you stop to think about how Batman had anything to do with this, you would get nowhere fast.";
var errorMessage = "This is a super long error that was thrown because \
of Batman. When you stop to think about how Batman had anything to do \
with this, you would get nowhere \
fast.";
var errorMessage = "This is a super long error that was thrown because " +
"of Batman. When you stop to think about how Batman had anything to do " +
"with this, you would get nowhere fast.";
-
When programmatically building up a string, use Array.join()
instead of string concatenation. Mostly for IE: jsPerf.
var items,
messages,
length,
i;
messages = [{
state: "success",
message: "This one worked."
}, {
state: "success",
message: "This one worked as well."
}, {
state: "error",
message: "This one did not work."
}];
length = messages.length;
function inbox(messages) {
items = "<ul>";
for (i = 0; i < length; i++) {
items += "<li>" + messages[i].message + "</li>";
}
return items + "</ul>";
}
function inbox(messages) {
items = [];
for (i = 0; i < length; i++) {
items[i] = messages[i].message;
}
return "<ul><li>" + items.join("</li><li>") + "</li></ul>";
}
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Functions
-
Avoid declaring anonymous functions as it makes it harder to debug in a stack trace.
-
Always store functions in variables or objects.
-
Function expressions:
var anonymous = function() {
return true;
};
function named() {
return true;
};
var named = function named() {
return true;
};
(function() {
console.log("Welcome to the Internet. Please follow me.");
})();
-
Never declare a function in a non-function block (if, while, etc). Assign the function to a variable instead. Browsers will allow you to do it, but they all interpret it differently, which is bad news bears.
-
Note: ECMA-262 defines a block
as a list of statements. A function declaration is not a statement. Read ECMA-262"s note on this issue.
if (currentUser) {
function test() {
console.log("Nope.");
}
}
var test;
if (currentUser) {
test = function test() {
console.log("Yup.");
};
}
-
Never name a parameter arguments
, this will take precedence over the arguments
object that is given to every function scope.
function nope(name, options, arguments) {
}
function yup(name, options, args) {
}
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Properties
-
Use dot notation when accessing properties.
var luke = {
jedi: true,
age: 28
};
var isJedi = luke["jedi"];
var isJedi = luke.jedi;
-
Use subscript notation []
when accessing properties with a variable.
var luke = {
jedi: true,
age: 28
};
function getProp(prop) {
return luke[prop];
}
var isJedi = getProp("jedi");
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Variables
-
Always use var
to declare variables. Not doing so will result in global variables. We want to avoid polluting the global namespace. Captain Planet warned us of that.
superPower = new SuperPower();
var superPower = new SuperPower();
-
Use one var
declaration for multiple variables and declare each variable on a newline.
var items = getItems();
var goSportsTeam = true;
var dragonball = "z";
var items = getItems(),
goSportsTeam = true,
dragonball = "z";
-
Declare unassigned variables last. This is helpful when later on you might need to assign a variable depending on one of the previous assigned variables.
var i, len, dragonball,
items = getItems(),
goSportsTeam = true;
var i, items = getItems(),
dragonball,
goSportsTeam = true,
len;
var items = getItems(),
goSportsTeam = true,
dragonball,
length,
i;
-
Assign variables at the top of their scope. This helps avoid issues with variable declaration and assignment hoisting related issues.
function() {
test();
console.log("doing stuff..");
var name = getName();
if (name === "test") {
return false;
}
return name;
}
function() {
var name = getName();
test();
console.log("doing stuff..");
if (name === "test") {
return false;
}
return name;
}
function() {
var name = getName();
if (!arguments.length) {
return false;
}
return true;
}
function() {
if (!arguments.length) {
return false;
}
var name = getName();
return true;
}
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Hoisting
-
Variable declarations get hoisted to the top of their scope, their assignment does not.
function example() {
console.log(notDefined);
}
function example() {
console.log(declaredButNotAssigned);
var declaredButNotAssigned = true;
}
function example() {
var declaredButNotAssigned;
console.log(declaredButNotAssigned);
declaredButNotAssigned = true;
}
-
Anonymous function expressions hoist their variable name, but not the function assignment.
function example() {
console.log(anonymous);
anonymous();
var anonymous = function() {
console.log("anonymous function expression");
};
}
-
Named function expressions hoist the variable name, not the function name or the function body.
function example() {
console.log(named);
named();
superPower();
var named = function superPower() {
console.log("Flying");
};
}
function example() {
console.log(named);
named();
var named = function named() {
console.log("named");
}
}
-
Function declarations hoist their name and the function body.
function example() {
superPower();
function superPower() {
console.log("Flying");
}
}
-
For more information refer to JavaScript Scoping & Hoisting by Ben Cherry
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Conditional Expressions & Equality
-
Use ===
and !==
over ==
and !=
.
-
Conditional expressions are evaluated using coercion with the ToBoolean
method and always follow these simple rules:
- Objects evaluate to true
- Undefined evaluates to false
- Null evaluates to false
- Booleans evaluate to the value of the boolean
- Numbers evaluate to false if +0, -0, or NaN, otherwise true
- Strings evaluate to false if an empty string
""
, otherwise true
if ([0]) {
}
-
Use shortcuts.
if (name !== "") {
}
if (name) {
}
if (collection.length > 0) {
}
if (collection.length) {
}
-
For more information see Truth Equality and JavaScript by Angus Croll
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Blocks
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-
Use /** ... */
for multiline comments. Include a description, specify types and values for all parameters and return values.
function make(tag) {
return element;
}
function make(tag) {
return element;
}
-
Use //
for single line comments. Place single line comments on a newline above the subject of the comment. Put an empty line before the comment.
var active = true;
var active = true;
function getType() {
console.log("fetching type...");
var type = this._type || "no type";
return type;
}
function getType() {
console.log("fetching type...");
var type = this._type || "no type";
return type;
}
-
Prefixing your comments with FIXME
or TODO
helps other developers quickly understand if you're pointing out a problem that needs to be revisited, or if you're suggesting a solution to the problem that needs to be implemented. These are different than regular comments because they are actionable. The actions are FIXME -- need to figure this out
or TODO -- need to implement
.
-
Use // FIXME:
to annotate problems
function Calculator() {
total = 0;
return this;
}
-
Use // TODO:
to annotate solutions to problems
function Calculator() {
this.total = 0;
return this;
}
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Whitespace
- Use soft tabs set to 4 spaces
```javascript
// bad
function() {
∙∙var name;
}
// bad
function() {
∙var name;
}
// good
function() {
∙∙∙∙var name;
}
```
- Place 1 space before the leading brace.
```javascript
// bad
function test(){
console.log("test");
}
// good
function test() {
console.log("test");
}
// bad
dog.set("attr",{
age: "1 year",
breed: "Bernese Mountain Dog"
});
// good
dog.set("attr", {
age: "1 year",
breed: "Bernese Mountain Dog"
});
```
- Set off operators with spaces.
```javascript
// bad
var x=y+5;
// good
var x = y + 5;
```
- End files with a single newline character.
```javascript
// bad
(function(global) {
// ...stuff...
})(this);
```
```javascript
// bad
(function(global) {
// ...stuff...
})(this);↵
↵
```
```javascript
// good
(function(global) {
// ...stuff...
})(this);↵
```
- Use indentation when making long method chains.
```javascript
// bad
$("#items").find(".selected").highlight().end().find(".open").updateCount();
// good
$("#items")
.find(".selected")
.highlight()
.end()
.find(".open")
.updateCount();
// bad
var leds = stage.selectAll(".led").data(data).enter().append("svg:svg").class("led", true)
.attr("width", (radius + margin) * 2).append("svg:g")
.attr("transform", "translate(" + (radius + margin) + "," + (radius + margin) + ")")
.call(tron.led);
// good
var leds = stage.selectAll(".led")
.data(data)
.enter().append("svg:svg")
.class("led", true)
.attr("width", (radius + margin) * 2)
.append("svg:g")
.attr("transform", "translate(" + (radius + margin) + "," + (radius + margin) + ")")
.call(tron.led);
```
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Commas
- Leading commas: **Nope.**
```javascript
// bad
var once
, upon
, aTime;
// good
var once,
upon,
aTime;
// bad
var hero = {
firstName: "Bob"
, lastName: "Parr"
, heroName: "Mr. Incredible"
, superPower: "strength"
};
// good
var hero = {
firstName: "Bob",
lastName: "Parr",
heroName: "Mr. Incredible",
superPower: "strength"
};
```
- Additional trailing comma: **Nope.** This can cause problems with IE6/7 and IE9 if it"s in quirksmode. Also, in some implementations of ES3 would add length to an array if it had an additional trailing comma. This was clarified in ES5 ([source](http://es5.github.io/#D)):
> Edition 5 clarifies the fact that a trailing comma at the end of an ArrayInitialiser does not add to the length of the array. This is not a semantic change from Edition 3 but some implementations may have previously misinterpreted this.
```javascript
// bad
var hero = {
firstName: "Kevin",
lastName: "Flynn",
};
var heroes = [
"Batman",
"Superman",
];
// good
var hero = {
firstName: "Kevin",
lastName: "Flynn"
};
var heroes = [
"Batman",
"Superman"
];
```
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Semicolons
- **Yup.**
```javascript
// bad
(function() {
var name = "Skywalker"
return name
})()
// good
(function() {
var name = "Skywalker";
return name;
})();
// good (guards against the function becoming an argument when two files with IIFEs are concatenated)
;(function() {
var name = "Skywalker";
return name;
})();
```
[Read more](http://stackoverflow.com/a/7365214/1712802).
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Type Casting & Coercion
- Perform type coercion at the beginning of the statement.
- Strings:
```javascript
// => this.reviewScore = 9;
// bad
var totalScore = this.reviewScore + "";
// good
var totalScore = "" + this.reviewScore;
// bad
var totalScore = "" + this.reviewScore + " total score";
// good
var totalScore = this.reviewScore + " total score";
```
- Use `parseInt` for Numbers and always with a radix for type casting.
```javascript
var inputValue = "4";
// bad
var val = new Number(inputValue);
// bad
var val = +inputValue;
// bad
var val = inputValue >> 0;
// bad
var val = parseInt(inputValue);
// good
var val = Number(inputValue);
// good
var val = parseInt(inputValue, 10);
```
- If for whatever reason you are doing something wild and `parseInt` is your bottleneck and need to use Bitshift for [performance reasons](http://jsperf.com/coercion-vs-casting/3), leave a comment explaining why and what you're doing.
```javascript
// good
/**
* parseInt was the reason my code was slow.
* Bitshifting the String to coerce it to a
* Number made it a lot faster.
*/
var val = inputValue >> 0;
```
- **Note:** Be careful when using bitshift operations. Numbers are represented as [64-bit values](http://es5.github.io/#x4.3.19), but Bitshift operations always return a 32-bit integer ([source](http://es5.github.io/#x11.7)). Bitshift can lead to unexpected behavior for integer values larger than 32 bits. [Discussion](https://github.com/airbnb/javascript/issues/109). Largest signed 32-bit Int is 2,147,483,647:
```javascript
2147483647 >> 0 //=> 2147483647
2147483648 >> 0 //=> -2147483648
2147483649 >> 0 //=> -2147483647
```
- Booleans:
```javascript
var age = 0;
// bad
var hasAge = new Boolean(age);
// good
var hasAge = Boolean(age);
// good
var hasAge = !!age;
```
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Naming Conventions
- Avoid single letter names. Be descriptive with your naming.
```javascript
// bad
function q() {
// ...stuff...
}
// good
function query() {
// ..stuff..
}
```
- Use camelCase when naming objects, functions, and instances
```javascript
// bad
var OBJEcttsssss = {};
var this_is_my_object = {};
function c() {}
var u = new user({
name: "Bob Parr"
});
// good
var thisIsMyObject = {};
function thisIsMyFunction() {}
var user = new User({
name: "Bob Parr"
});
```
- Use PascalCase when naming constructors or classes
```javascript
// bad
function user(options) {
this.name = options.name;
}
var bad = new user({
name: "nope"
});
// good
function User(options) {
this.name = options.name;
}
var good = new User({
name: "yup"
});
```
- Use a leading underscore `_` when naming private properties
```javascript
// bad
this.__firstName__ = "Panda";
this.firstName_ = "Panda";
// good
this._firstName = "Panda";
```
- When saving a reference to `this` use `_this`.
```javascript
// bad
function() {
var self = this;
return function() {
console.log(self);
};
}
// bad
function() {
var that = this;
return function() {
console.log(that);
};
}
// good
function() {
var _this = this;
return function() {
console.log(_this);
};
}
```
- Name your functions. This is helpful for stack traces.
```javascript
// bad
var log = function(msg) {
console.log(msg);
};
// good
var log = function log(msg) {
console.log(msg);
};
```
- **Note:** IE8 and below exhibit some quirks with named function expressions. See [http://kangax.github.io/nfe/](http://kangax.github.io/nfe/) for more info.
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Accessors
- Accessor functions for properties are not required
- If you do make accessor functions use getVal() and setVal("hello")
```javascript
// bad
dragon.age();
// good
dragon.getAge();
// bad
dragon.age(25);
// good
dragon.setAge(25);
```
- If the property is a boolean, use isVal() or hasVal()
```javascript
// bad
if (!dragon.age()) {
return false;
}
// good
if (!dragon.hasAge()) {
return false;
}
```
- It"s okay to create get() and set() functions, but be consistent.
```javascript
function Jedi(options) {
options || (options = {});
var lightsaber = options.lightsaber || "blue";
this.set("lightsaber", lightsaber);
}
Jedi.prototype.set = function(key, val) {
this[key] = val;
};
Jedi.prototype.get = function(key) {
return this[key];
};
```
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Constructors
- Attach functions to variables or objects. This allows us to easily reference that function.
```javascript
// bad
function(msg) {
console.log(msg);
};
// good
obj.log = function log(msg) {
console.log(msg);
};
// good
var log = function log(msg) {
console.log(msg);
};
```
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Events
- When attaching data payloads to events (whether DOM events or something more proprietary like Backbone events), pass a hash instead of a raw value. This allows a subsequent contributor to add more data to the event payload without finding and updating every handler for the event. For example, instead of:
```js
// bad
$(this).trigger("listingUpdated", listing.id);
...
$(this).on("listingUpdated", function(e, listingId) {
// do something with listingId
});
```
prefer:
```js
// good
$(this).trigger("listingUpdated", { listingId : listing.id });
...
var eventHandler = function eventHandler(e, data) {
// do something with data.listingId
});
$(this).on("listingUpdated", eventHandler);
```
- Always clear events during garbage collection. For example:
```js
var eventHandler = function eventHandler(e, data) {
// do something with data.listingId
});
$(this).on("listingUpdated", eventHandler);
...
var onDestroy = function onDestroy(){
$(this).off("listingUpdated")
}
```
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## jQuery
- Prefix jQuery object variables with a `$`.
```javascript
// bad
var sidebar = $(".sidebar");
// good
var $sidebar = $(".sidebar");
```
- Cache jQuery lookups.
```javascript
// bad
function setSidebar() {
$(".sidebar").hide();
// ...stuff...
$(".sidebar").css({
"background-color": "pink"
});
}
// good
function setSidebar() {
var $sidebar = $(".sidebar");
$sidebar.hide();
// ...stuff...
$sidebar.css({
"background-color": "pink"
});
}
```
- For DOM queries use Cascading `$(".sidebar ul")` or parent > child `$(".sidebar > ul")`. [jsPerf](http://jsperf.com/jquery-find-vs-context-sel/16)
- Use `find` with scoped jQuery object queries.
```javascript
// bad
$("ul", ".sidebar").hide();
// bad
$(".sidebar").find("ul").hide();
// good
$(".sidebar ul").hide();
// good
$(".sidebar > ul").hide();
// good
$sidebar.find("ul").hide();
```
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## ECMAScript 5 Compatibility
- Refer to [Kangax](https://twitter.com/kangax/)"s ES5 [compatibility table](http://kangax.github.com/es5-compat-table/)
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Testing
- **Yup.**
```javascript
function() {
return true;
}
```
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Performance
- [On Layout & Web Performance](http://kellegous.com/j/2013/01/26/layout-performance/)
- [String vs Array Concat](http://jsperf.com/string-vs-array-concat/2)
- [Try/Catch Cost In a Loop](http://jsperf.com/try-catch-in-loop-cost)
- [Bang Function](http://jsperf.com/bang-function)
- [jQuery Find vs Context, Selector](http://jsperf.com/jquery-find-vs-context-sel/13)
- [innerHTML vs textContent for script text](http://jsperf.com/innerhtml-vs-textcontent-for-script-text)
- [Long String Concatenation](http://jsperf.com/ya-string-concat)
- Loading...
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**
## Orginal source: The JavaScript Style Guide Guide
- [Reference](https://github.com/airbnb/javascript/wiki/The-JavaScript-Style-Guide-Guide)
## License
(The MIT License)
Copyright (c) 2014 Airbnb
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining
a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the
"Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including
without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish,
distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to
permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to
the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be
included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT.
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT,
TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE
SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
**[⬆ back to top](#table-of-contents)**