DEV Community

Cover image for JavaScript Console Tricks Every Dev Should Know
Prachi Gupta
Prachi Gupta

Posted on

JavaScript Console Tricks Every Dev Should Know

The console object in JavaScript is way more than just console.log(). Let's explore some powerful tricks every dev should know—with actual outputs!


1. 🚦 Different Types of Logs

console.log("General log");
console.info("Informational message");
console.warn("Warning alert");
console.error("Something went wrong!");
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

🖥️ Output:

  • console.log: Regular white text
  • ℹ️ console.info: Blue info icon (browser-dependent)
  • ⚠️ console.warn: Yellow warning with a triangle icon
  • console.error: Red error with a cross icon

2. 📊 console.table()

const users = [
  { name: "Prachi", role: "Dev" },
  { name: "Raj", role: "Tester" }
];
console.table(users);
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

🖥️ Output:

(index) name role
0 Prachi Dev
1 Raj Tester

So clean and readable!


3. ⏱️ console.time() + console.timeEnd()

console.time("loadData");
for (let i = 0; i < 1000000; i++) {}
console.timeEnd("loadData");
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

🖥️ Output:

loadData: 4.56ms
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

(The number will vary depending on performance.)


4. 🧭 console.trace()

function first() {
  second();
}
function second() {
  third();
}
function third() {
  console.trace("Stack trace");
}
first();
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

🖥️ Output:

Stack trace
    at third (...)
    at second (...)
    at first (...)
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

Gives you the full call stack to debug call flow 🔍


5. 🔄 console.group() + console.groupEnd()

console.group("User Details");
console.log("Name: Prachi");
console.log("Role: Backend Dev");
console.groupEnd();
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

🖥️ Output:

▶ User Details
   Name: Prachi
   Role: Backend Dev
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

(Collapsible in browser console!)


6. 🧪 console.assert()

const isLoggedIn = false;
console.assert(isLoggedIn, "❌ User is not logged in!");
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

🖥️ Output:

Assertion failed: ❌ User is not logged in!
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

(No output if the condition is true.)


7. 🧼 console.clear()

console.clear();
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

🖥️ Output:

👉 Console is instantly cleared (poof! ✨)


🌟 Final Words

The console isn't just for dumping data—it's a powerful tool to help you debug smarter, not harder. Try these tricks in your next project, and you'll feel like a true console wizard 🧙‍♀️

Top comments (0)