Tag: JavaScript refactoring

Hey there! If you enjoy this story and find it helpful, feel free to like or share it. Now, let me take you on a little journey.

---

I have a massive quilt that’s been handed down through generations. It’s a beautiful piece, but it’s starting to show its age. Some patches are worn out, while others are completely outdated. I decide it’s time to update it and make it more durable, adding some modern touches without losing its essence. This quilt is like my large JavaScript file, and I’m planning to refactor it incrementally into TypeScript.

I start by examining the quilt closely. I don’t want to rip it apart all at once because each patch holds memories and functions that are still valuable. Instead, I focus on one patch at a time. I pick a corner and carefully replace an old patch with a new one that’s stronger and more , like converting a small, non-critical part of my JavaScript file to TypeScript. This way, the quilt remains functional and useful throughout the process.

As I continue, I find some patches that are already strong and don’t need immediate attention. I leave those for later, just like I might leave certain parts of my JavaScript untouched if they don’t need urgent refactoring. My goal is to gradually introduce those modern materials—TypeScript’s type safety and structure—without losing the quilt’s original charm.

Sometimes, I need to stitch new patches alongside old ones to ensure they fit seamlessly. Similarly, I might use TypeScript’s “any” type temporarily to allow the new and old code to coexist peacefully. This approach helps me avoid overwhelming changes and ensures the quilt, or my code, remains robust and reliable.

Finally, after some time, I’ve revamped most of the quilt. It’s stronger, more , and ready for future generations. My JavaScript file has transformed into a TypeScript masterpiece, preserving the beauty of the original while embracing the benefits of modern techniques. And just like that quilt, my code is ready to stand the test of time.

---

Starting Small

Let’s say I have a simple JavaScript function:

// oldQuiltPatch.js
function add(a, b) {
  return a + b;
}

This is a small patch of our quilt. To refactor it into TypeScript, I start by creating a new TypeScript file:

// newQuiltPatch.ts
function add(a: number, b: number): number {
  return a + b;
}

Here, I’ve added type annotations to ensure that both a and b are numbers, and the function returns a number. This strengthens this small piece of our quilt by preventing unintended usage.

Handling Complex Parts

For more complex patches, like a function that deals with objects, I might need to use interfaces or types:

// oldQuiltPatch.js
function greetUser(user) {
  return `Hello, ${user.name}!`;
}

Converting this to TypeScript, I define a type for the user:

// newQuiltPatch.ts
interface User {
  name: string;
}

function greetUser(user: User): string {
  return `Hello, ${user.name}!`;
}

This ensures that any object passed to greetUser has a name property, reducing the risk of runtime errors.

Gradual Integration

Throughout this process, I might encounter parts of the quilt that can’t be immediately refactored. For these, I use TypeScript’s flexibility:

// newQuiltPatch.ts
function processUnknownData(data: any): void {
  // Placeholder logic
  console.log(data);
}

By using any, I acknowledge that this part of the quilt isn’t fully modernized yet, but it’s functional. Over time, I can revisit and refine it.

Final Thoughts

As I continue replacing patches, I ensure that the quilt remains intact and usable. Similarly, converting JavaScript to TypeScript incrementally allows me to enhance my codebase without breaking existing functionality.

Key Takeaways:

1. Start Small: Begin with simple functions or modules to gain confidence.
2. Use Types and Interfaces: Strengthen your code by clearly defining the structure of data.
3. Gradual Integration: Use any or other temporary measures to allow old and new code to work together.
4. Iterate: Continuously revisit and improve areas as you become more comfortable with TypeScript.