JavaScript, React, Redux
Intro to Pure Functions
Pure functions are highly favored as building blocks in functional programming due to their predictability and potential for being reused.
There are a couple of characteristics that define a function as ‘pure’.
- If given the same input, you will get the same output.
- No side-effects.
Predictable Output
We can pass an argument to a pure function and know that no matter how many times we run that piece of code, we will get the same result.
Check out this example below. No matter what we assign x to, we will get x squared back.
function getSquare(x) {
return x * x;
}No Side-effects / Independent
Pure functions are always immutable. They should not change any outside variables. Consider the difference between mapping over an array and returning a new array versus using .push() to shovel a new item into an existing array. The ladder will alter the original array and is considered impure. The danger in altering shared states is that another function may have relied on that original state. …
Know what you’re working with and how to define it
What is Context and Why do I care?
One of the largely misunderstood fundamental concepts of JavaScript is the ‘this’ keyword. While we can write JS code without this knowledge, getting some clarity here can lead to a greater understanding of the language itself and may even reduce mysterious bugs!
First, we need to know a little about Execution Context. To put it simply, Execution Context is the management of what is currently running. Obviously, things would get really ugly if all of our code was called at the same time. There must be an order and that order is handled via the Execution Context. …
Big O Notation for Beginners
Back to the Basics
Put simply, algorithms are a way of solving a class of problems. They are a ‘finite sequence’ made to work with any programming language. Think of these as instructions, just like a recipe! It includes step-by-step directions that can be applied to return the desired result. Since all programming languages, share some commonalities such as loops and conditional statements, we can apply these to any programming language.
Working is Not Good Enough
It’s not okay to assume that your algorithm is acceptable, just because it’s working. That’s only one part of the problem-solving process. It’s best practice for programmers to refactor their work. We must question the efficiency of our methods. …
A Brief Introduction to Object-Orientation
Even if you’ve never heard of object-orientation, I’m sure you have heard of the term ‘abstraction’. Today, I want to share some insights on what these terms mean in the world of programming and how we use them as tools to make our code both beautifully simplistic and effective.
Journey to Becoming a Software Engineer
After about a hundred hours of prep work, quitting my day job, and setting up a home office, I was feeling very much ready to begin on this 15-week journey. Little did I know I would wake up with some kind of God-forsaken stomach sickness that left me extremely grateful that I am taking this course remotely. However, I wasn’t going to let that ruin this pivotal moment of my life.
Class Start — 9 A.M.
I crawled over to my laptop and jumped on a Zoom meeting where I was greeted by the friendly faces of my cohort-mates, campus coordinators, and instructors. During orientation, I felt warmly welcomed. Clearly, it’s possible to sense positive vibes even over virtual conference calls. I must be in the right place. …
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