Author: Michal Szymanski
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.
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.
Note: Strict mode does not allow undeclared 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
// Declare at the beginning
var firstName, lastName, price, discount, fullPrice;
// Use later
firstName = "John";
lastName = "Doe";
price = 19.90;
discount = 0.10;
fullPrice = price * 100 / discount;
This also goes for loop variables:
// Declare at the beginning
var i;
// Use later
for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
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 = {};
Note: Initializing variables provides an idea of the intended use (and intended data type).
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.
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
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";
}
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