5 ms·

I don't know what are you referring to as hack on top of hacks? There are tons of big open source and closed source web based project that are easy to follow wh

by msoad 10y ago

I don't know what are you referring to as hack on top of hacks? There are tons of big open source and closed source web based project that are easy to follow what's going on and everything is well structured. Look at VSCode code base [1] or if you're a Googler look at Google Photos source code. People look at React and Webpack and all these small little modules that people put together to make something work and think that's all the web is. Although, I think React, webpack, Redux and all these little hacks are amazing for exploring what's possible in web. [1] https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode/ https://github.com/Microsoft/vscode/

voltagex_ 10y ago
I think the question then becomes: How do I make my code more like VSCode and less like, well, everything else? I'm not sure the answer is as simple as "use typescript".
- onion2k 10y ago
  Using a meta-language like Typescript (if it's appropriate), and writing a sensible number of tests, employing a consistent code style, documenting what you write, and spending time to actually design your software properly is the answer. You can write good software in any language and on any platform. Good code is more about your processes than your choice of tools.
  - TranquilMarmot 10y ago
    Thank you! So many people here blaming the tools for bad software when people have been using horrible tools to write good software for decades. I think one major part of why React + Redux are successful is because they sort of force you into a way of thinking that results in a better creative process and ends with better code.
    - voltagex_ 10y ago
      >they sort of force you into a way of thinking that results in a better creative process and ends with better code. That's the first time I've heard that about React, can you elaborate?
      - TranquilMarmot 10y ago
        Maybe it's just me, but when I'm working in React it really forces me into a more "modular" way of writing things. Sure, I'll write something as a huge file that's a couple of hundred lines but React makes it _incredibly_ easy to step back and refactor to start pulling things out into modules. I guess it doesn't quite _force_ you into thinking a certain way, it just encourages writing code in a more modular and reusable way. Refactoring is easy enough to say "yes, I should pull that out into its own component" vs "it would take me a day to pull this out into its own component".
        midwestcode 10y ago
        Totally agree with you here. React made me think of the web in a very modular way... I found it very enjoyable to learn!
- sotojuan 10y ago
  Have a competent team and team lead, both of which are rare in web programming.

by msoad 10y ago

voltagex_ 10y ago

I think the question then becomes: How do I make my code more like VSCode and less like, well, everything else? I'm not sure the answer is as simple as "use typescript".

onion2k 10y ago
Using a meta-language like Typescript (if it's appropriate), and writing a sensible number of tests, employing a consistent code style, documenting what you write, and spending time to actually design your software properly is the answer. You can write good software in any language and on any platform. Good code is more about your processes than your choice of tools.
- TranquilMarmot 10y ago
  Thank you! So many people here blaming the tools for bad software when people have been using horrible tools to write good software for decades. I think one major part of why React + Redux are successful is because they sort of force you into a way of thinking that results in a better creative process and ends with better code.
  - voltagex_ 10y ago
    >they sort of force you into a way of thinking that results in a better creative process and ends with better code. That's the first time I've heard that about React, can you elaborate?
    - TranquilMarmot 10y ago
      Maybe it's just me, but when I'm working in React it really forces me into a more "modular" way of writing things. Sure, I'll write something as a huge file that's a couple of hundred lines but React makes it _incredibly_ easy to step back and refactor to start pulling things out into modules. I guess it doesn't quite _force_ you into thinking a certain way, it just encourages writing code in a more modular and reusable way. Refactoring is easy enough to say "yes, I should pull that out into its own component" vs "it would take me a day to pull this out into its own component".
      - midwestcode 10y ago
        Totally agree with you here. React made me think of the web in a very modular way... I found it very enjoyable to learn!
sotojuan 10y ago
Have a competent team and team lead, both of which are rare in web programming.