4 ms·

Nice library, but please don't use the underscore variable (_). So many people use Underscore.js and Lodash.js that it makes reading your docs confusing.

by vlucas 12y ago

choward 12y ago
You can name it whatever you want. That's one of the benefits using a module system.
- deleted 12y ago
  [deleted]
- hamburglar 12y ago
  So why do we have this trend of using meaningless and ambiguous identifiers, and in particular, why would you do it in example code? I thought that as an industry, we'd moved past the folly of giving things terse and unhelpful identifiers in order to save a few bytes or keystrokes.
  - killtheliterate 12y ago
    I think the example code is written using _ to convey the similarity for those familiar with underscore/lodash. In 2015, that's most JS developers. Just hazarding a guess.
  - jamesrom 12y ago
    You notice that all the libraries that do this (underscore, jQuery, Lodash, et al.) offer features that are almost language features. Things so useful but generic that they could almost be integrated into the language syntax. In this case, there's also the problem that 'Stream' is already used by node.
    - hamburglar 12y ago
      > In this case, there's also the problem that 'Stream' is already used by node. Haha, well, your grandparent would like you to know that's no reason to avoid a particular name. Module system! ;) > var BoringStream = require('stream'); > var Stream = require('highland'); Or if we like special chars, we could get really cute: > var $tream = require('highland'); It's like Stream, but, you know, blingier.
ceedan 12y ago
For real. Highland should just use an H.
- mynegation 12y ago
  Or a Greek capital letter Lambda: Λ Λ(['1', '2', '3'])
  - jamesrom 12y ago
    How does one type that?
    - iyn 12y ago
      Like this: Λ ;) Windows: Alt+x 03BB Linux: Ctrl+Shift+u 03BB (still pressing Ctrl+Shift)
  - tericho 12y ago
    Is that a valid variable name? Would that mean Λ is unicode?
    - mynegation 12y ago
      It is a valid Unicode letter so should be acceptable in EcmaScript 5.
- spencera 12y ago
  That's exactly what I use, var h = require('highland');
random28345 12y ago
Just as you wouldn't use multiple libraries that bound a CSS selector function to the $ variable, I don't think you'd use underscore and lodash in the same javascript code. Similarly, highlandjs looks to supplant the underscore idioms with stream semantics, and you wouldn't mix both libraries in the same codebase.
- 91bananas 12y ago
  While I can grant that it does seem to solve a lot of the same problems as underscore and lodash, this is just asking for confusion and complication down the road. You shouldn't make a decision that makes things hard for people to deal with in the future if they choose to use your product. There is well established meaning now to $ and _ in js land, pick another identifier.
  - maemilius 12y ago
    I'm not certain I understand how their use of _ is any different from Lo-dash or Underscore's use of the variable. Just because they're not first to the party doesn't mean they can't hop on the established semantics. Their use of _ actually made it easier for me to follow their examples.
  - deif 12y ago
    I think that it's pretty reasonable for a similar library to use the same character if the syntax is similar. As an example, the Domtastic library copies the jQuery syntax literally, allowing an easy transition for new users. It also makes users aware that the library is likely to cover aspects of the other, so they should carefully consider if they really want to include the new one.
  - random28345 12y ago
    I still think the collision with underscore and lodash is intentional and appropriate. It makes a statement saying, "this library is designed to supplant underscore. Do not use underscore and this library together".
    - 12y ago
slang800 12y ago
I agree with not using the underscore character, while Underscore/Lodash are still popular. Personally, I do `H = require('highland')`, whenever I'm using it.

Nice library, but please don't use the underscore variable (_). So many people use Underscore.js and Lodash.js that it makes reading your docs confusing.

by vlucas 12y ago

Nice library, but please don't use the underscore variable (_). So many people use Underscore.js and Lodash.js that it makes reading your docs confusing.

choward 12y ago

You can name it whatever you want. That's one of the benefits using a module system.

deleted 12y ago
[deleted]
hamburglar 12y ago
So why do we have this trend of using meaningless and ambiguous identifiers, and in particular, why would you do it in example code? I thought that as an industry, we'd moved past the folly of giving things terse and unhelpful identifiers in order to save a few bytes or keystrokes.
- killtheliterate 12y ago
  I think the example code is written using _ to convey the similarity for those familiar with underscore/lodash. In 2015, that's most JS developers. Just hazarding a guess.
- jamesrom 12y ago
  You notice that all the libraries that do this (underscore, jQuery, Lodash, et al.) offer features that are almost language features. Things so useful but generic that they could almost be integrated into the language syntax. In this case, there's also the problem that 'Stream' is already used by node.
  - hamburglar 12y ago
    > In this case, there's also the problem that 'Stream' is already used by node. Haha, well, your grandparent would like you to know that's no reason to avoid a particular name. Module system! ;) > var BoringStream = require('stream'); > var Stream = require('highland'); Or if we like special chars, we could get really cute: > var $tream = require('highland'); It's like Stream, but, you know, blingier.

ceedan 12y ago

For real. Highland should just use an H.

mynegation 12y ago
Or a Greek capital letter Lambda: Λ Λ(['1', '2', '3'])
- jamesrom 12y ago
  How does one type that?
  - iyn 12y ago
    Like this: Λ ;) Windows: Alt+x 03BB Linux: Ctrl+Shift+u 03BB (still pressing Ctrl+Shift)
- tericho 12y ago
  Is that a valid variable name? Would that mean Λ is unicode?
  - mynegation 12y ago
    It is a valid Unicode letter so should be acceptable in EcmaScript 5.
spencera 12y ago
That's exactly what I use, var h = require('highland');

random28345 12y ago

Just as you wouldn't use multiple libraries that bound a CSS selector function to the $ variable, I don't think you'd use underscore and lodash in the same javascript code. Similarly, highlandjs looks to supplant the underscore idioms with stream semantics, and you wouldn't mix both libraries in the same codebase.

91bananas 12y ago
While I can grant that it does seem to solve a lot of the same problems as underscore and lodash, this is just asking for confusion and complication down the road. You shouldn't make a decision that makes things hard for people to deal with in the future if they choose to use your product. There is well established meaning now to $ and _ in js land, pick another identifier.
- maemilius 12y ago
  I'm not certain I understand how their use of _ is any different from Lo-dash or Underscore's use of the variable. Just because they're not first to the party doesn't mean they can't hop on the established semantics. Their use of _ actually made it easier for me to follow their examples.
- deif 12y ago
  I think that it's pretty reasonable for a similar library to use the same character if the syntax is similar. As an example, the Domtastic library copies the jQuery syntax literally, allowing an easy transition for new users. It also makes users aware that the library is likely to cover aspects of the other, so they should carefully consider if they really want to include the new one.
- random28345 12y ago
  I still think the collision with underscore and lodash is intentional and appropriate. It makes a statement saying, "this library is designed to supplant underscore. Do not use underscore and this library together".
  - 12y ago

slang800 12y ago

I agree with not using the underscore character, while Underscore/Lodash are still popular. Personally, I do `H = require('highland')`, whenever I'm using it.