Improving JavaScript Coding Structure

Like most programming languages, JavaScript is always on the move. This means that coding and its structure could change from time to time.

But unlike most programming languages, JavaScript coding will be CONSTANTLY on the move because of the continuous development of Ajax by the OpenAjax Alliance and JavaScript versions.

Although the performance of the online application will not be affected if they are not updated, it would be a lot harder to integrate new functions from different libraries.

This might be a little bit disappointing for developers, but since Ajax still has a long way before W3C standardization, it’s an inconvenience they have to endure.

There are certain ways to improve your coding structure which may not be universally applicable but they will do the task in simplifying your coding structure to efficiently work all the time.

Modular Over Inheritance

Do not get me wrong, inheritance in JavaScript is still an efficient way to build an application. But if you are aiming to build an application that could be easily updated, modular is the only way to go.

By being modular, you can build the application in no time and implement the functions they intend to infuse in the application.

By being modular, developers might have to give up manual coding in some parts as they would have to give way to different libraries in order to simply implement the application.

Using InnerHTML

Using innerHTML is always debatable among developers. It’s not standardized, could be a little bit risky and it could simply not work in other browsers. But considering the benefits of innerHTML, developers could go ahead and be a little bit risky in using this function. InnerHTML basically simplifies everything.

Developers can use this function in dealing with additional HTML components in the application. By using InnerHTML, developers could focus on internal functions, security and compatibility.

The downside of innerHTML could be addressed this way. With regards to updates, implementing innerHTML is still as young as Ajax so it’s always possible to grab the update along with the latest for JavaScript.

Namespaces

Namespaces is another hot topic often discussed by developers. Some say that it could be discarded without affecting the whole system while others maintain namespaces as they could be considered objects.

The answer is still out there but for now, the use of namespace if you want to be efficient in your coding structure should be minimized.

Treating them as objects still applies but when you are dealing with namespaces, you are dealing with each function outside the library.

The fact that you are integrating namespaces in your application means that you are manually coding your application and forgoing modular development of your Ajax based application.

Keeping Them Small

Developing an application, while following the rules for an improved coding structure, has a downside. Instead of developing a powerful application, developers are left to build smaller applications.

Modular applications could still be applied to larger projects but if you want to be as efficient as possible, you have to keep it small and simple.