If you optimize your JavaScript code with these hacks, it can help you write cleaner code, save resources, and optimize your programming time.

According to RedMonk, JavaScript is the most popular programming language. Furthermore, SlashData estimates that around 12.4 million developers use JavaScript, which also includes CoffeeScript and Microsoft’s TypeScript.

This means that millions of people use JavaScript to work as programmers, take freelance gigs through sites like UpWork and Freelancer, or even start their own web developing businesses.

freeCodeCamp has an excellent basics course on JavaScript. But, if you’re already familiar with the fundamentals and want to advance your proficiency in JavaScript, then here are ten hacks you should learn and integrate into your workflow.

1. How to Use Shortcuts for Conditionals

JavaScript allows you to use certain shortcuts to make your code easier on the eyes. In some simple cases you can use logical operators && and || instead of if and else.

Let’s look at the && operator in action.

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The || operator functions as an “or” clause. Now, using this operator is a bit trickier since it can prevent the application from executing. However, we can add a condition to get around it.

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2. How to Convert to an Integral Using the ~~ Operator

Removing decimals to return an integral using math.floor or math.round takes up resources. A more efficient way is using the ~~ operator.

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3. Resize or Empty an Array Using array.length

Sometimes you need to adjust the size of your array or empty it. The most efficient way to do this is using array.length.

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You can also use array.length to remove all the values from a specified array.

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4. How to Merge Arrays Without Causing Server Overload

It could be a serious strain on the server when merging arrays, especially if you’re dealing with large data sets. To keep things simple and keep up performance levels, use the array.concat() and array.push.apply(arr1, arr2) functions.

Using either of these functions depends on the size of your arrays.

Let’s look at how to deal with smaller arrays.

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When using the array.concat() function on larger data sets, it will consume a lot of memory while creating a new array. To get around the performance drop, use array.push.apply(arr1, arr2) which consolidates the second array into the first one without creating a new array.

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5. How to Use Filters with Arrays

Filtering an array is useful when you’re working with multiple columns of corresponding data. In this case, you can include and exclude data based on any characteristic that describes a group in your array.

To filter an array, use the filter() function.

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You can also use filter() together with Boolean to return all null or undefined values from your array.

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6. How to Extract Unique Values

Suppose you have a data set of repeating values, and you need to produce unique values out of this set. You can do so with a combination of spread syntax ... and object type Set. This approach works with both words and numbers.

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7. How to Use the Replace Function Shortcut

You should be familiar with the string.replace() function. However, it only replaces a string with a specified line once and stops from there. Suppose you have a larger data set, and you need to type this function multiple times. It gets frustrating after a while.

To make your life easier, you can add /g at the end of the regex, so the function runs and replaces all matching conditions without stopping at the first one.

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8. How to Cache Variables

When you’re working with large arrays and need to request elements by ID using getElementById(), or by class name using getElementsByClassName(), then JavaScript runs through the array on a loop with each similar element request. This could take up a lot of resources.

However, you can increase the performance by caching a variable if you know you’re regularly using a specified selection.

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9. How to Check if an Object Has Values

When you’re working with multiple objects, it gets difficult to keep track of which ones contain actual values and which you can delete.

Here’s a quick hack on how to check if an object is empty or has a value with Object.keys() function.

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10. How to Minify your JavaScript Files

Large JS files affect your page’s loading and response performance. While writing your code, you could be left with unnecessary lines, comments, and dead code. Depending on your file’s size, it can pile up and become a redundant bottleneck.

There are a couple of tools to help you clean up the code and make the JS files lighter – or minify them, in developers’ terms. Even though minifying the JS file isn’t a hack per se, it’s still beneficial for developers to know and implement.

One is Google Closure Compiler, which parses your JavaScript, analyzes it, removes dead code, and rewrites and minimizes what’s left. The other is Microsoft Ajax Minifier, which enables you to improve your web application’s performance by reducing the size of your JavaScript files.

There you have it. Use these ten hacks to make your code cleaner, save server resources, and retain programming time.

Thanks for reading!

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