Simplifying JavaScript: Writing Modern JavaScript with ES5, ES6, and Beyond

by Joe Morgan

The best modern JavaScript is simple, readable, and predictable. Learn to write modern JavaScript not by memorizing a list of new syntax, but with practical examples of how syntax changes can make code more expressive. Starting from variable declarations that communicate intention clearly, see how modern principles can improve all parts of code. Incorporate ideas with curried functions, array methods, classes, and more to create code that does more with less while yielding fewer bugs.

It's time to write JavaScript code that's clean and exprssive. Modern JavaScript is simpler and more predictable and readable than ever. Discover how to write better code with clear examples using principles that show how updated syntax can make code better with fewer bugs.

Starting from the ground up, learn new syntax (or how to reuse older syntax) to transform code from clunky bug-susceptible scripts to clear and elegant programs that are easy to read and easy to extend.

Create a foundation for readable code with simple variable declarations that reduce side effects and subtle bugs. Select collections with clear goals instead of defaulting to objects or arrays. See how to simplify iterations from complex loops to single line array methods. Master techniques for writing flexible and solid code ranging from high-order functions, to reusableclasses, to patterns for architecting large applications creating applications that will last while through rounds of refactoring and changing requirements.

The best part is there's no need to read this book straight through. Jump around and incorporate new functionality at will. Most importantly, understand not just what the new syntax is, but when and how to use it. Start writing better code from the first page.

Genres: Programming, Technology

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calling this one done though I honestly didn't read every chapter or every tip (and I skimmed more than a few of those I did read). That said, the book is pretty much set up for that approach. If you want a quick, easy primer on modern Javascript, this is an excellent and readily accessible choice.

I first became interested in JavaScript way back in the early days of the web and even built a not insignificant amount of software using it, but got to a point where I really couldn't deal with its limitations about 10 years ago. I was excited seeing the development of tools like Node.js, but really just couldn't get past the stunted syntax, poor tooling, and disjointed ecosystem at that point in time. I've vaguely followed the developments over the last few years, but hadn't really looked at where things had gotten with ES6 and beyond, but now that I've pursued this book, I feel comfortable relying on JavaScript as another tool in the arsenal.

That said, I'll be looking to TypeScript as the obvious and necessary successor to Javascript. Though part of the reason I finally decided to dig deeper into Javascript again was due to the fact that TypeScript clearly leverages the best of what modern JavaScript has to offer. This book was a great way to get my head wrapped around what that actually means.

[Ferrett Steinmetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good overview of all those funky new JavaScript syntaxes that you've been pretending to understand but secretly didn't. Not only does the author do a good job explaining what problems these new features are intended to solve - a rare skill in computer books - but he also comes up with pretty accurate in-the-field examples of when you'd use them. Highly recommended.

[Alberto Garcia Ariza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro excelente. Por un lado, todos los ejemplos que tiene son bastante más reales que en otros textos. Y por otro, su estructura en capítulos cortos hace que vayas poco a poco, que si no estás al nivel de alguno en concreto, puedas saltarlo y volver más adelante. Totalmente recomendable.