Software engineering and personal development

Tag: variable

Why You Should Avoid Global Variables in JavaScript

In the ever-evolving world of JavaScript development, writing clean and maintainable code is the golden rule. One fundamental principle that can elevate your coding game is avoiding global variables. In this concise guide, we’ll explore why steering clear of global variables is a smart choice and how encapsulating your code can lead to cleaner, conflict-free, and more maintainable applications.

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Reduce Dependency on Global Variables

Global variables, while accessible from anywhere in the code, can become a double-edged sword when used excessively.

Relying heavily on global variables can complicate code readability, hinder debugging efforts, and make code maintenance a daunting task.

In this article, we’ll explore the drawbacks of overusing global variables and highlight the advantages of using function parameters and return values to pass information between different parts of the code.

Let’s dive in!

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Beware of Variable Scope: A Common Python Mistake

Understanding variable scope is crucial when writing Python code. Failure to grasp the concept can lead to unexpected behavior and hard-to-debug issues. In this article, we’ll explore the second common mistake: misusing variable scope, and provide examples to help you avoid falling into this common pitfall.

Understanding Variable Scope

Variable scope refers to the accessibility and visibility of variables within different parts of your code. In Python, variables can have local or global scope.

Here is a local scope example:

def my_function():
    x = 10
    print(x)

my_function()
print(x)  # NameError: name 'x' is not defined

In this example, the variable x is defined within the my_function() function and has local scope. It is only accessible within the function. Attempting to access x outside the function will result in a NameError.

Here is a global scope example:

x = 10

def my_function():
    print(x)

my_function()
print(x)

Here, x is defined in the global scope. It can be accessed both inside and outside the function, providing consistent output of 10 in both cases.

Common Mistake: Variable Shadowing

Variable shadowing occurs when a local variable has the same name as a variable in a higher scope. This can lead to confusion and unexpected behavior.

x = 10

def my_function():
    x = 20
    print(x)

my_function()
print(x)  # Output: 10

In this example, the local variable x within my_function() shadows the global variable x. When x is printed inside the function, it outputs 20, but outside the function, the global x remains unaffected and outputs 10.

Avoiding the Mistake

To avoid variable scope-related issues:

  • Ensure you understand the concept of variable scope in Python.
  • Use descriptive variable names to minimize the chances of shadowing.
  • Be mindful of modifying global variables within functions; consider using function parameters and return values instead.

Conclusion

Understanding variable scope is essential for writing reliable and bug-free Python code. By recognizing the distinction between local and global variables and avoiding variable shadowing, you can prevent unexpected behavior and maintain code clarity. Remember to take extra care when dealing with variable scope to ensure your code functions as intended.

How to Quickly Check Whether a Variable is a Number in Python

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Photo by Ryoji Iwata on Unsplash

Since you don’t have a predefined type for a variable in Python, you may notice a lot of bugs that can arise. As such, it is very important that you pay a lot of attention in cases when you have to make sure that you are using the correct type of variable.

This can also be the case when you expect a variable to be a number, but you get a string or any other type instead.

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LocalStorage, a global HTML5 variable that can be shared across tabs and windows

Source: kirupa.com

Today I would like to tell you a short guide about localStorage variable that is part of HTML5 and that can be used in your web development process. There are times when you might be in need of having a variable that is shared across different tabs or windows of your browser for the same domain, and this is not possible by simply declaring a JavaScript variable. Continue reading

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