My JavaScript patterns/practices stink. Where should I seek help?
I've been working almost exclusively on back-end tasks for the past few years, and I've just noticed that most JavaScript (and CoffeeScript) projects have got a helluva lot prettier in my absence.
I work primarily in a rails environment, and almost all my JavaScript/jQuery used to look like this:
$(an_element).an_event(function() {
stuff_i_want_to_do;
})
$(another_element).some_other_event(function() {
some_other_stuff_i_want_to_do;
})
Callbacks aside, that's pretty much been it.
Anyhow, was just browsing through some other folks' code and noticed many javascripters have been getting a lot prettier in my absence. This isn't complex, but it's typical of the newer/better approach to JavaScript I've been seeing:
jQuery ->
if $('#products').length
new ProductsPager()
class ProductsPager
constructor: (@page = 1) ->
$(window).scroll(@check)
check: =>
if @nearBottom()
@page++
$(window).unbind('scroll', @check)
$.getJSON($('#products').data('json-url'), page: @page, @render)
#
nearBottom: =>
$(window).scrollTop() > $(document).height() - $(window).height() - 50
render: (products) =>
for product in products
$('#products').append Mustache.to_html($('#product_template').html(), product)
$(window).scroll(@check) if products.length > 0
I've been looking for resources on modern best practices/patterns for JavaScript (and/or CoffeeScript), but I haven't had much luck. So in short, where should I look to be brought up to speed re: best javascript/coffeescript modern patterns & practices?
Solution 1:
JavaScript resources
Patterns For Large-Scale JavaScript Application Architecture
Essential JavaScript Design Patterns For Beginners, Volume 1.
JavaScript Patterns
jQuery specific
Tools For jQuery Application Architecture
CoffeeScript
http://coffeescriptcookbook.com/chapters/design_patterns/
Solution 2:
Here are some links I've collected:
General
http://eloquentjavascript.net/
http://jqfundamentals.com/
Patterns
http://addyosmani.com/resources/essentialjsdesignpatterns/book/
Inheritance
http://blog.vjeux.com/2011/javascript/how-prototypal-inheritance-really-works.html
Module pattern
http://www.adequatelygood.com/2010/3/JavaScript-Module-Pattern-In-Depth http://ajaxian.com/archives/a-javascript-module-pattern http://edspencer.net/2009/10/javascript-module-pattern-overused-dangerous-and-bloody-annoying.html
New keyword
Is JavaScript's "new" keyword considered harmful? http://ejohn.org/blog/simple-class-instantiation
Closures
http://www.bennadel.com/blog/1482-A-Graphical-Explanation-Of-Javascript-Closures-In-A-jQuery-Context.htm
How do JavaScript closures work? http://skilldrick.co.uk/2011/04/closures-explained-with-javascript/
Pass by reference / value
http://snook.ca/archives/javascript/javascript_pass
Teaching JavaScript
http://concisionandconcinnity.blogspot.com/2010/03/notes-on-teaching-javascript.html
This keyword
http://alebelcor.blogspot.com/2011/07/this-keyword-in-javascript.html http://yehudakatz.com/2011/08/11/understanding-javascript-function-invocation-and-this/
Object Literal
http://blog.rebeccamurphey.com/2009/10/15/using-objects-to-organize-your-code
Prototype
http://yehudakatz.com/2011/08/12/understanding-prototypes-in-javascript/
Solution 3:
I like the CoffeeScript Cookbook. It explains alot and contains many examples.
You probably like the 12th chapter called Design patterns
Solution 4:
You need a good book like "JavaScript Patterns" accompanied by an equally good ide/environment like "Fiddle" for practicing.