1 minute read

There are primarily three ways to chain Javascript methods.

Method 1: Almost Unbearable

superagent.post(domain + "/challenges/" + challenge1._id + "/submissions").type('form').attach("image", "./tests/specs/images/onepixel.png").field("owner", user2._id).end(function(err, res){
  done();
});

We all know Method 1 is not acceptable in this situation. But what about the following?

Method 2: Much Better

superagent
  .post(domain + "/challenges/" + challenge1._id + "/submissions")
  .type('form')
  .attach("image", "./tests/specs/images/onepixel.png")
  .field("owner", user2._id)
  .end(function(err, res){
    done();
  });

Method 3: Arguably, The Best

superagent
.post(domain + "/challenges/" + challenge1._id + "/submissions")
.type('form')
.attach("image", "./tests/specs/images/onepixel.png")
.field("owner", user2._id)
.end(function(err, res){
  done();
});

Both #2 & #3 above are huge improvements over #1. Now if you don’t already have an opinion on which one is better and you flip flop around between #2 and #3. Allow me to persuade you to choose #3. You see in some contexts #3 is better as it’s alignment in another function allows you to quickly skim a document and see where something has gone awry. Something that #2 doesn’t make easy. Look at these.

Method 2: Seems worse now

function(cb){
  //have nerdy submit into the challenge
  describe("A Submission", function(){
    it("can be submitted by a user", function(done){
      superagent
        .post(domain + "/challenges/" + challenge1._id + "/submissions")
        .type('form')
        .attach("image", "./tests/specs/images/onepixel.png")
        .field("owner", user2._id)
        .end(function(err, res){
          cb(null);
          done();
        });
    });
  });
},

Method 3: Seems better now

function(cb){
  //have nerdy submit into the challenge
  describe("A Submission", function(){
    it("can be submitted by a user", function(done){
      superagent
      .post(domain + "/challenges/" + challenge1._id + "/submissions")
      .type('form')
      .attach("image", "./tests/specs/images/onepixel.png")
      .field("owner", user2._id)
      .end(function(err, res){
        cb(null);
        done();
      });
    });
  });
},

Anyone familiar with the callback hell and nested functions that can be Javascript, the benefit of using method #3 becomes clear. Scanning that code in #2 some brains may need an extra second to process which could cause something to be looked over.

So if you already don’t have an opinion on which style to use. Definitely consider #3