Javascript File Handling: 11 Golden Rules to Become a Bill Gates-like Programmer
Tags: webdev, javascript, programming, beginners
Published: 2023-04-15 16:04:17

As software applications become increasingly complex, file handling has become a significant challenge for developers. In light of this, I have taken it upon myself to address this problem by creating a simple yet insightful post that will help developers understand the ins and outs of file handling in JavaScript.

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After reading this post, I would appreciate it if you would like, share, and comment on your thoughts on **Hackernoon**: https://hackernoon.com/javascript-file-handling-11-golden-rules-to-follow-as-a-programmer

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**1. Always handle errors:** When dealing with files, errors are inevitable. Ensure that errors are handled gracefully and meaningful error messages are displayed to the users.

**2. Use appropriate file types:** Always validate file types before accepting file uploads from users to prevent malicious or invalid files from being uploaded.

**3. Close file streams when done:** If you are reading or writing files, close the file stream when you are done to free up system resources.

**4. Use asynchronous methods:** I/O operations on files can be time-consuming and block the main thread. In order to avoid freezing the UI and improve performance, always use asynchronous methods.

**5. Be mindful of file size:** It is important to keep in mind the performance impact of large files on an end user’s device when working with them. Use streaming techniques to load the file into memory in small chunks rather than loading it all at once.

**6. Use descriptive file names:** Choose file names that accurately reflect the contents and purposes of the files. A file containing utility functions, for example, could be named utils.js.

**7. Use modular design:** Organize your code into modular components to make it easier to understand and maintain. The use of modules allows you to organize related code and reduce the chance of naming conflicts.

**8. Use strict mode:** Adding use strict to your JavaScript file will enforce stricter syntax rules, catch common errors, and improve performance.

**9. Use comments:** Describe the purpose, behavior, and limitations of your code in the comments. You will be able to make your code more understandable to other developers and to yourself in the future.

**10. Use linting tools:** You can use a linter to find and correct syntax errors, style issues, and potential bugs. Linting tools such as JSLint, ESLint, and JSHint are widely used.

**11. Use version control:** Track changes to your code and collaborate with other developers with a version control system like Git. In this way, you can avoid version conflicts and revert to previous versions of your code if necessary.

### Examples of the Above Golden Rules:
https://hackernoon.com/javascript-file-handling-11-golden-rules-to-follow-as-a-programmer

## Wrap-up
File handling in JavaScript is an important skill for any programmer. By following the 11 golden rules outlined in this article, programmers can ensure that they are creating robust and efficient code that is easy to maintain and debug. With a solid understanding of these best practices, developers can take their file-handling capabilities to the next level and create truly exceptional applications.

These are just a few examples of JavaScript file-handling best practices. Also, be sure to follow web application security best practices when working with user-generated files.