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.
Articles
JavaScript, page 18 of 19
JavaScript is the working language behind most of my front‑end writing, from small browser behaviours to application state and asynchronous code. These articles favour the mechanism behind a feature over a clever trick, whether the subject is callbacks, async code, or a language edge that only becomes obvious in production.
JavaScript Build Tools and Module Formats. 
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.
Using CommonJS to Implement Modules in JavaScript. Using CommonJS to Implement Modules in JavaScript
Use CommonJS modules in JavaScript with require() and module.exports, covering Node.js origins, browser bundling, limitations, and ES module comparison.
Object URLs Need a Lifecycle: Creating and Revoking Blob URLs. Object URLs Need a Lifecycle: Creating and Revoking Blob URLs
Create object URLs for local file previews, revoke them at the right time, and avoid retaining Blob data too long or breaking a browser consumer.
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...ofCompare classic for loops, ES5 forEach() and ES6 for...of in JavaScript, including NodeList support, readability and when a loop can stop early.
Asynchronous Module Definition (AMD) in JavaScript. Asynchronous Module Definition (AMD) in JavaScript
Asynchronous Module Definition explained, including AMD module loading, define(), dependency handling, CommonJS, ES modules, and modern relevance.
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.
Getting Started with Callbacks in JavaScript. Getting Started with Callbacks in JavaScript
Callbacks are a core part of JavaScript, even if promises get more attention now. This guide explains how they work and where they still show up.
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.
Dynamically Create a Script Element with JavaScript. Dynamically Create a Script Element with JavaScript
Create script elements dynamically with JavaScript, setting src, choosing head, or body placement, loading external scripts, and understanding execution timing.
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.
Accessing a Random Element from an Array Using JavaScript. Accessing a Random Element from an Array Using JavaScript
Pick a random array element in JavaScript with Math.random(), safe index calculation, reusable helpers, and notes on real interface randomisation.
