Index

1. Introduction
2. Folder Structure
3. File Structure
4. Class Structure
5. Method Structure

Introduction

Structuring Your Code for Readability and Maintainability

Proper code structure is fundamental to creating software that is both easy to understand and maintain. When your code is well-organized, it becomes much easier to locate specific parts, whether you’re debugging, adding new features, or simply reviewing your work. This organization not only benefits you but also others who may work with your code in the future.

Why Code Structure Matters

1. Improved Readability: A well-structured codebase is like a well-organized library. It allows you to quickly find what you need without having to sift through unrelated or messy code. Readable code is easier to understand at a glance, which reduces the cognitive load on the developer.
2. Enhanced Maintainability: As your project grows, maintaining the code becomes increasingly complex. A clear structure helps ensure that new features can be added without creating a tangled mess. It also makes it easier to identify and fix bugs, since the logic is separated into coherent, well-defined sections.
3. Ease of Collaboration: In a team environment, good code structure is essential for collaboration. When code is organized logically, team members can easily understand each other’s contributions, leading to smoother integration and fewer conflicts.
4. Scalability: Proper structure is key to scaling your codebase. As your project expands, a solid foundation allows for the addition of new modules and features without requiring a complete overhaul of the existing code.

Key Principles of Code Structuring

1. Modularity: Break your code into small, self-contained modules or functions, each responsible for a single task. This makes your code more reusable and easier to test.
2. Separation of Concerns: Keep different aspects of your application—such as data handling, business logic, and user interface—separate. This prevents changes in one part of the code from inadvertently affecting another.
3. Consistent Naming Conventions: Use descriptive and consistent naming for files, classes, methods, and variables. This practice makes it easier to understand the purpose of each component at a glance.
4. File Organization: Group related files together in directories or folders that mirror the structure of your application. For example, keep all components related to the user interface in one directory and all data models in another.
5. Documentation: Provide clear documentation within your code. Commenting on complex logic, explaining the purpose of a module, or outlining the overall structure in a README file can save time and confusion down the road.
6. Use of Design Patterns: Implement well-known design patterns where appropriate. Patterns like Model-View-Controller (MVC) or the Provider pattern in JavaScript can provide a robust structure that supports both the current functionality and future growth of your application.

By following these principles, you create a codebase that is not only easier to work with today but also more resilient to changes and expansions in the future. Structuring your code well is an investment that pays off in the long run, making development faster, more efficient, and less error-prone.

Folder Structure

The Importance of a Proper Folder Structure

A well-thought-out folder structure is a cornerstone of effective project management, regardless of the project’s size. It serves as a roadmap for your codebase, making it easier to locate files and understand the organization of your application.

Why Folder Structure Matters

1. Efficiency in Navigation: With a logical folder structure, you can quickly find the files you need without wasting time searching through a disorganized mess. This is especially important as your project grows and the number of files increases.
2. Consistency Across Projects: Adopting a standard folder structure across your projects promotes consistency, making it easier to switch between projects without having to relearn where everything is located. This is particularly beneficial in team environments where multiple developers work on different parts of the project.
3. Scalability: As your project expands, a good folder structure allows you to add new features and components without creating clutter. You can easily create new directories or subdirectories for new modules, ensuring that your project remains organized as it scales.
4. Ease of Maintenance: A well-organized folder structure simplifies maintenance tasks such as debugging, refactoring, and updating code. When files are logically grouped, it’s easier to identify where changes need to be made, reducing the risk of errors.
5. Collaboration: In a team setting, a consistent folder structure ensures that all team members can quickly understand the organization of the project. This reduces onboarding time for new developers and minimizes confusion during collaboration.

Folder Structure for All Project Sizes

Good folder structure is not just reserved for large, enterprise-level applications; it’s essential for projects of all sizes, from the smallest prototypes to the largest systems. Here’s why:

• Small Projects: Even in small projects, a clear folder structure prevents chaos. It encourages good habits early on, making it easier to scale the project if it grows. For example, starting with separate folders for components, styles, and utilities in a simple web app sets the stage for future expansion.
• Medium-Sized Projects: As your project grows, a solid folder structure helps manage increasing complexity. You might add more layers, such as separating features into their own directories or organizing components into subfolders based on their functionality. This keeps the project manageable and organized.
• Large Projects: In large-scale applications, a well-defined folder structure is critical. It helps manage the vast number of files and modules that are typical in enterprise-level systems. Without a good structure, navigating such a project would be overwhelming, leading to decreased productivity and increased risk of errors.

In summary, a proper folder structure is not just a nice-to-have—it’s a fundamental aspect of software development that impacts efficiency, scalability, maintenance, and collaboration. By investing time in setting up a good folder structure, you lay a strong foundation that supports your project’s success at every stage.

Example: Folder Structure

root/
|-- app/
|---- screen1/
|------ screen1.js
|------ screen1.html
|------ screen1.css
|---- ...
|-- src/
|---- builders/
|---- factories/
|---- managers/
|---- ...
|-- components/
|---- main-menu/
|------ main-menu.js
|------ main-menu.html
|------ main-menu.css
|---- ...
|-- styles/
|---- ...

In this example, we separate JavaScript, HTML, and CSS into their own files. This separation of concerns is crucial when dealing with large and complex components, as it prevents individual files from becoming cluttered and unmanageable. However, if you prefer to combine these into a single file for deployment, you can use a bundler to achieve this consolidation efficiently.

When working on complex components, it can be beneficial to create subfolders to organize the different parts of the component. This approach helps manage complexity by grouping related code together. Additionally, consolidating certain elements, such as component-specific constants, into a single file can streamline maintenance and improve organization. For instance, gathering all constants in one file simplifies updates and ensures that related information is easy to locate.

Deciding whether to group functions into separate files or keep them together in one file depends on several factors, including the complexity of your code, its purpose, and how you plan to maintain and scale it. Here’s a guide to help you make that decision:

1. Modularity and Separation of Concerns: If functions serve distinct purposes or belong to different logical components of your application, separating them into different files helps maintain a clean separation of concerns. For example, you might keep utility functions in one file and API-related functions in another.
2. Scalability: As your codebase grows, splitting functions into separate files makes it easier to manage and scale. This organization prevents individual files from becoming too large and unwieldy, which can make navigation and maintenance challenging.
3. Reusability: When functions are designed to be reused across different parts of your application, placing them in dedicated files or modules helps facilitate their import and use. This approach also makes it easier to find and update reusable code.
4. Team Collaboration: In a team environment, separating functions into different files can help avoid merge conflicts and streamline collaboration. Each team member can work on different parts of the codebase without interfering with others.
5. Testing: Organizing functions into separate files can simplify unit testing. When functions are logically grouped, it becomes easier to write and manage tests for specific functionality.

When to Group Functions Together in One File

1. Cohesion: If functions are tightly related and work together to achieve a specific task or feature, keeping them in a single file can enhance readability and maintainability. For instance, if you have several functions that handle different aspects of user authentication, placing them in one file makes sense.
2. Simplicity: For small projects or components with limited functionality, grouping related functions in one file may be sufficient and can reduce the overhead of managing multiple files.
3. Performance Considerations: If performance is a concern, consolidating functions into fewer files can reduce the number of imports and dependencies, potentially improving load times and execution speed. However, this is usually a minor consideration compared to the benefits of maintainability and organization.
4. Single Responsibility Principle: When a file or module is responsible for a specific feature or component, grouping all related functions in that file adheres to the single responsibility principle. This organization keeps the file focused on one aspect of the application.

Best Practices

• Balance: Strive for a balance between too many small files and overly large files. Aim for files that are manageable and focused on specific responsibilities.
• Naming Conventions: Use clear and descriptive names for files and functions to ensure that their purpose is immediately apparent. This practice aids in navigating and understanding the codebase.
• Documentation: Regardless of the approach, document the purpose of each file and its functions. Good documentation helps maintain clarity and facilitates easier onboarding for new developers.

By considering these factors, you can make informed decisions about how to structure your functions, ensuring that your codebase remains organized, maintainable, and scalable.

File Structure

The file content follows a predefined structure, organized into sections for:

1. Constants
2. Enums
3. Classes
4. Functions

const SOME_CONST = 10;

const MyEnum = Object.freeze({
    V1: 1,
    V2: 2
})

class MyCalss {
  ...
}

function doSomething() {
  ...
}

Class Structure

The classes content is structured in the following order:

1. Fields
2. Private Properties
3. Public Properties
4. Construction
5. Destruction
6. Private Methods
7. Static methods
8. Public Methods

class MyClass {
  #field1;
  
  get property1() { ... }

  set property1(newValue) { ... }
  
  constructor() { ... }
  
  dispose() { ... }
    
  #doSomethingPrivate() { ... }
  
  static new() { ... }

  doSomethingPublic() { ... }
}

That that when working with properties the getter is first and the setter, if there is one, comes second.

Method Structure

Maintaining clean method content is crucial for several reasons:

1. Readability: Well-organized methods are easier to read and understand. Clear and concise code allows developers to quickly grasp the purpose and functionality of a method without having to wade through convoluted logic or unnecessary details.
2. Maintainability: Clean methods are simpler to modify and extend. When code is well-structured and free of unnecessary complexity, making updates or fixes becomes less error-prone and more straightforward. This is particularly important as the codebase evolves over time.
3. Testability: Methods that are clean and focused on a single responsibility are easier to test. Well-defined methods with clear inputs and outputs make it simpler to write effective unit tests and ensure that the method behaves as expected under various conditions.
4. Debugging: When methods are kept clean and organized, identifying and fixing bugs becomes more efficient. A method that is cluttered with unrelated code can obscure the root cause of issues, making debugging a more challenging process.
5. Consistency: A clean method structure promotes consistency across the codebase. Consistent formatting and organization make it easier for developers to follow coding standards and practices, resulting in a more uniform and predictable codebase.

By prioritizing clean method content, you enhance the overall quality and manageability of your code, facilitating easier development and maintenance throughout the lifecycle of the project.

Consider the following method:

export class Regions {
    static from(definition) {
        const result = {
            "grouping": {
                "top": 0,
                "bottom": 0
            },
            "header": {
                "top": 0,
                "bottom": 0
            },
            "cells": {
                "top": 0,
                "bottom": 0
            }
        }

        setGrouping(definition, result);
        setHeader(definition, result);
        setCells(definition, result);
        setFrozenColumns(definition, result);
        
        return result;
    }
}

In this example, the method organizes operational steps into separate functions outside of the class. This approach enhances code readability and maintainability, as the context and purpose of each function are clear from its name. Each function can be tested independently, which contributes to a higher level of quality assurance. Additionally, this separation simplifies debugging, as it becomes easier to identify where to place breakpoints and understand the flow of execution.