Rendering Lists in React and Why Keys Matter
Render lists in React with stable keys, avoiding index and random‑key bugs, preserving component state correctly through filtering, sorting, and reordering.
Articles
Development, page 23 of 24
This is a very broad category within my articles which encompasses any aspect of web development, from initial design and architecture to coding, testing, and deployment.
Below you will find a subset of articles from my blog specifically about Development. This is an area I have worked with for many years, and it has been a regular subject in my writing. There are four hundred twenty‑seven articles collected together for you below.
Rendering Lists in React and Why Keys Matter. 
Writing Safer JavaScript for Older Browsers. Writing Safer JavaScript for Older Browsers
Write safer JavaScript for older browsers by checking support, avoiding fragile assumptions, containing failures, and keeping core interactions usable.
Understanding call, apply, and bind in JavaScript. Understanding
call,apply, andbindin JavaScriptUnderstand call, apply, and bind in JavaScript, including this context, borrowed methods, callbacks, partial application, and production review caveats.
How Inheritance Works in the JavaScript Prototype Chain. How Inheritance Works in the JavaScript Prototype Chain
The JavaScript prototype chain underpins inheritance, enabling object property sharing. Here, I explore its workings, property searching, and quirks.
JavaScript Build Tools and Module Formats. JavaScript Build Tools and Module Formats
A practical overview of JavaScript build tools and module formats, covering globals, CommonJS, AMD, Browserify, bundling, and project trade‑offs.
Type Coercion in JavaScript: Implicit vs. Explicit Conversion. Type Coercion in JavaScript: Implicit vs. Explicit Conversion
Type coercion in JavaScript explained clearly, including implicit vs. explicit conversion, equality surprises, string concatenation, and number casting.
Five Tips for Transitioning from Permanent to Freelancing. Five Tips for Transitioning from Permanent to Freelancing
Thinking of moving from permanent employment to freelancing? Follow these 5 tips for a smooth transition and establish yourself as a successful freelancer.
Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Components in React. Controlled vs. Uncontrolled Components in React
Controlled vs. uncontrolled components in React explained with form examples, refs, validation trade‑offs, and why each approach suits different jobs.
Why this Changes in JavaScript Event Handlers and Methods. Why
thisChanges in JavaScript Event Handlers and MethodsUnderstand why this changes in JavaScript methods and event handlers, including call sites, arrow functions, bind(), event objects, and context bugs.
Looping in JavaScript ES5 and ES6: forEach and for...of. Looping in JavaScript ES5 and ES6:
forEachandfor...ofWith the introduction of the new JavaScript standard ES6, there are some new and interesting ways to loop through data, which I discuss here today.
Keeping jQuery Plugins Maintainable. Keeping jQuery Plugins Maintainable
Keep jQuery plugin usage maintainable with clear wrappers, option defaults, event names, lifecycle checks, CSS boundaries, ownership, and update notes.
Primitive vs. Reference Types in JavaScript. Primitive vs. Reference Types in JavaScript
Primitive vs. reference types in JavaScript explained clearly, including copying behaviour, mutation, equality, and why arrays and objects surprise beginners.
Lifting State up in React. Lifting State up in React
Lifting state up in React explained clearly, including shared state, single sources of truth, child callbacks, and when moving state higher helps.
Check If Your Site is Running on localhost. Check If Your Site is Running on
localhostThere are many reasons that you might want to detect whether your code is running on localhost. Aside from using environment variables, there's also JavaScript!
When to Use a jQuery Plugin and When to Write Your Own. When to Use a jQuery Plugin and When to Write Your Own
Decide when a jQuery plugin is worth using, and when a small custom script is safer, clearer, easier to maintain, and less likely to leak assumptions.
Five Tips on How to Be a Good Web Developer. Five Tips on How to Be a Good Web Developer
Five habits of a good web developer, covering clean code, performance, testing, collaboration, curiosity, standards, and communication beyond code.
How to Read JavaScript Errors and Stack Traces. How to Read JavaScript Errors and Stack Traces
How to read JavaScript errors and stack traces in the browser, including common error types, line numbers, call stacks, and a practical debugging workflow.
Pass by Value vs. Reference in JavaScript. Pass by Value vs. Reference in JavaScript
Pass by value vs. reference in JavaScript explained clearly, including why objects seem shared, how reassignment differs from mutation and common beginner bugs.
