The Ternary Metaprogramming Trap
TL;DR: Avoid using ternary operators for dynamic method calls
Problems
- Reduced code readability
- Increased debugging difficulty
- Potential runtime errors
- Decreased maintainability
- Possible refactoring problems
- Obscured program flow
- Metaprogramming pitfalls
Solutions
- Use explicit conditionals
- Apply the strategy pattern
- Create descriptive methods
Context
Ternary metaprogramming uses conditional operators to select and invoke methods dynamically.
It leads to code that's harder to understand, debug, and maintain.
You risk introducing subtle bugs and making your code obscure to other developers.
Clean Code is the opposite of Clever Code.
Sample Code
Wrong
const method = success ? 'start' : 'stop';
obj[method]();
Right
if (success) {
obj.start();
} else {
obj.stop();
}
Detection
[X] Automatic
Your linters can detect this smell by looking for ternary operators to select method names, especially when combined with bracket notation for method calls.
You can also watch for variables that store method names based on conditions.
Tags
- Metaprogramming
Level
[X] Beginner
AI Generation
AI code generators might introduce this smell since they prioritize code brevity over readability.
They could generate ternary metaprogramming patterns when trying to produce concise code.
AI Detection
AI detectors can identify this smell by recognizing patterns of ternary operators used for method selection.
They may need specific instructions about readability and maintainability.
Try Them!
Remember AI Assistants make lots of mistakes
ChatGPT Claude Perplexity Gemini
Conclusion
Ternary metaprogramming can seem clever and concise but creates more problems than it solves.
By favoring explicit conditionals and well-named methods, you can write easier-to-understand, debug, and maintain code.
Remember that code is read far more often than written, so prioritize clarity over brevity.
Relations
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Disclaimer
Code Smells are my opinion.
Credits
Programs must be written for people to read, and only incidentally for machines to execute.
Harold Abelson
This article is part of the CodeSmell Series.
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