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Cover image for 10 Tips for Writing Clean JavaScript Code
Kafeel Ahmad (kaf shekh)
Kafeel Ahmad (kaf shekh)

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10 Tips for Writing Clean JavaScript Code

Write Code That Speaks for Itself. Writing clean, maintainable JavaScript isn't just about following rules — it's about writing code that tells a story.

Here are 10 practical tips that will immediately improve your code quality.

1. Use Descriptive Names That Tell a Story

Your code should read like a well-written book. Name variables and functions so clearly that comments become unnecessary.

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2. Keep Functions Small and Focused

Each function should do exactly one thing. If you need the word "and" to describe what your function does, it's probably doing too much.

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3. Embrace Modern JavaScript Features

Use modern JavaScript features to write more elegant and maintainable code.

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4. Handle Errors Gracefully

Don't just catch errors — handle them appropriately and provide meaningful feedback.

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5. Use Early Returns to Avoid Deep Nesting

Early returns make your code flatter and easier to follow.

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6. Organize Related Code Together

Group related code into clear sections or modules. Use meaningful file organization.

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7. Use Meaningful Defaults and Guards

Protect your code from unexpected inputs and provide sensible defaults.

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8. Write Code That's Easy to Test

Structure your code so it's naturally testable.

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9. Use Constants for Magic Numbers and Strings

Define constants for values that have meaning in your code.

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10. Comment Only When Necessary

Write self-documenting code and use comments only to explain why, not what.

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Conclusion

Clean code isn't about following rules blindly — it's about making choices that help you and your team work more effectively. These tips will help you write code that's easier to understand, maintain, and debug.

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Top comments (3)

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moopet profile image
Ben Sinclair

Just a heads up that the Markdown we use here supports syntax highlighting, and is generally more accessible than inserting an image of code. Images of text are an issue for people using screen readers, for example, and their content won't get picked up by the site's search facility.

You can add code blocks with 3 backticks: code block with colors example More details in our editor guide!

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teknolista profile image
Raul Bras

yes, agree.
very bad for blind people.

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abhayparashar31 profile image
Abhay Parashar

This is copied content with no original research. Dev.to should take action and ban this individual.

I am the original author of one of his top article, which has been directly copied word-for-word from my Medium article without even giving me credit. I kindly request the immediate removal of that article from the platform. I also urge the community to mass report this individual to maintain a better space for writers.

Copied Article: dev.to/kafeel_ahmad/17-mindblowing...

Original Article: medium.com/pythoneers/17-mindblowi...

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