Why You Should Use `lodash-es` in Your TypeScript Projects

When you're working with TypeScript, you want your code to be efficient, clean, and maintainable. That’s where lodash-es comes in. If you're familiar with Lodash, you already know its power. But did you know lodash-es is even better for modern TypeScript projects? Let’s explore why!

What is lodash-es?

lodash-es is the ECMAScript module (ESM) version of Lodash. It's designed to be tree-shakeable, meaning you only include the parts of the library you actually use in your bundle. This is a huge win for keeping your final JavaScript file size smaller and faster.

Why did the developer go broke? Because they used lodash… but forgot to tree-shake! 💸

Benefits of Using lodash-es

1. Tree-Shaking

One of the biggest advantages of lodash-es is its support for tree-shaking. Tree-shaking is a process that removes unused code from your final bundle, which helps to reduce the size of the JavaScript files your users download. With traditional Lodash, importing a single method could unintentionally import the entire library. But with lodash-es, thanks to ESM, your bundler can easily eliminate unused code.

// Example with lodash-es
import { debounce } from 'lodash-es';

const saveInput = debounce(() => {
  console.log('Saving data...');
}, 300);

In this example, only the debounce method will be included in your final bundle, not the entire Lodash library.

2. TypeScript Support

Lodash has excellent TypeScript support, with types available out of the box. This makes working with lodash-es a breeze when using TypeScript. It provides type definitions that help catch errors early in the development process, and provides better autocompletion and documentation directly in your editor.

import { find } from 'lodash-es';

interface User {
  id: number;
  name: string;
}

const users: User[] = [
  { id: 1, name: 'Alice' },
  { id: 2, name: 'Bob' },
];

const user = find(users, { id: 1 });
console.log(user?.name); // Alice

Type safety ensures that you’re passing the correct arguments and getting the expected return types, reducing the chance of runtime errors.

3. Modularity and Performance

Using lodash-es helps you write modular code. By importing only the functions you need, your codebase stays more organized and easier to manage. This approach also boosts your application's performance by keeping the bundle size smaller, which directly impacts load times.

Conclusion

Switching to lodash-es in your TypeScript projects offers several benefits, from reduced bundle sizes through tree-shaking to better TypeScript support. It's a no-brainer if you're aiming for a modern, efficient, and maintainable codebase. So next time you reach for Lodash, give lodash-es a try and enjoy a cleaner, leaner project!

For further reading on lodash-es, you can visit the official documentation.