Creating dynamic JavaScript projects is satisfying and rewarding. Nothing beats delivering a project that exceeds your client’s expectations for functionality and ‘coolness.’ Web clients have loved JavaScript applications since JS was created.
No matter how many amazing JavaScript projects you’ve created, these tips will help you create even better applications.
1. Use Node Package Manager (NPM) as a package manager
NPM is the default package manager for popular JS frameworks like AngularJS, Node.js, JQuery, and React JS. NPM offers a database full of modules that display available packages and how they’re related. When you download a framework, you also get its dependencies.
When you contribute packages to the registry, you need to update npm packages as frequently as possible. However, it’s crucial that you define versions correctly. Syntax matters. If you need help, White Source Software published a thorough guide to help you update NPM packages properly. This guide covers important topics like updating packages proactively rather than reactively. Being reactive increases the likelihood of bugs and skipping over required vulnerability patches.
If you need help building NPM packages, InfoWorld has a helpful guide on rolling packages and pushing them live.
2 .Inspect open source projects
You probably get plenty of ideas from using existing JavaScript applications. By inspecting open source projects, you can get inspiration for how to structure your code and how to use libraries in new ways.
For example, have you ever considered using coordinates to highlight sections of a large document and add annotations to make it easy to read? The folks over at Document Cloud made that a reality. Document Cloud is powered by:
- The HTML5 Document Viewer created by the New York Times
- The Backbone.js library
- The Docsplit Ruby library
- The Underscore.js library
- js for dynamic searches with an autocomplete feature
As a programmer, your mind is always thinking of what’s possible. By inspecting open source JS projects, you’ll naturally see more possibilities.
3. Take courses at any skill level
Regardless of how skilled you are, there’s always something new to learn. Programming languages are fairly easy to learn, but coming up with new ideas and solutions is the challenge. Taking courses can help.
If you’re a beginner, take some free courses online to get a proper introduction to JavaScript and programming. If you’ve been programming for a while, you can find advanced courses that will help you think in different ways to solve problems and structure your code better.
For example, there are plenty of Node.js certification courses offered by popular sites like Udemy, Coursera, Pluralsight, and LinkedIn Learning. Getting certified will tell clients that you know what you’re doing. However, don’t limit yourself to courses that come with certification. Be willing to learn from any source, including free YouTube videos, to learn the most.
4. Review the basics
Anytime you learn a new skill, you want to master the basics before branching out. Over time, as habits form, some of those basics get lost and forgotten.
No matter what skill level you’re at as a programmer, revisit the basics on a regular basis to make sure you’re producing clean work. For example, review these 45 JavaScript tips and tricks to make sure you’re still using best practices.
5. Don’t give up on seemingly impossible requests too soon
You will always have clients who request impossible features that no programmer could possibly create. These impossibilities are caused by a limitation in software or hardware capabilities. However, when a client requests something that appears impossible, don’t be quick to reject that idea.
Be resourceful. Talk to other developers online and ask for their input. There might be someone out there who has already come up with a solution that you can either use for free or purchase the rights to use in your project. Hopefully, the solution will be free, so you don’t have to charge your client more money.
Sign up for some of the popular Q&A forums like StackExchange and GitHub. While GitHub is dedicated to software programming, StackExchange is open to all kinds of topics. Just search for the keywords related to the problem you’re trying to solve.
Keep programming
Spending more time programming is the only way you’ll improve your projects and programming capabilities. Keep developing projects and don’t be afraid to take on projects that seem to be a little over your head. It will be good practice for finding solutions and exceeding your own expectations.
Anna is a freelance writer, researcher, and business consultant. A columnist for Entrepreneur.com, TheNextWeb.com and more, Anna specializes in entrepreneurship, technology, and social media trends. Follow her on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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