Stop Using These 5 Outdated JavaScript Tricks
Solidly Stated – the JavaScript landscape is far more advanced, optimized, and modernized than it was just a few years ago. Yet, surprisingly, many developers still rely on techniques that were outdated long ago. These outdated tricks continue to linger in codebases, quietly undermining performance, readability, and scalability. It’s time to shine a light on the worst offenders and why you need to leave them behind. From variable declarations to error handling, let’s explore the five outdated JavaScript tricks you absolutely must stop using and what to replace them with for cleaner, more maintainable code.
Ditching var for let and const
Using var for variable declarations is among the most outdated JavaScript tricks developers still use. This outdated trick can cause scope confusion, unexpected hoisting, and inconsistent code behavior. ES6 introduced let and const, giving developers better control over block scope and immutability. Continuing to use var instead of let and const is one of the most outdated tricks in practice today. When you use outdated tricks like var, you’re also signaling to collaborators that your code is not up to date. For anyone serious about clean and secure coding, this outdated JavaScript trick needs to go. Modern linters even flag this outdated trick to keep it out of professional repositories. So if you’re still writing var, it’s time to replace this outdated JavaScript trick with something better.
Avoiding == in Favor of ===
One of the classic outdated JavaScript tricks is using == instead of ===. This outdated JavaScript trick leads to hidden bugs by allowing type coercion, which can produce confusing results. Strict equality with === avoids the unintended consequences of this outdated trick. If you continue to use this outdated trick, you’ll eventually encounter logic errors that are hard to trace. has matured, and relying on == is no longer acceptable in clean codebases. The outdated JavaScript trick of loose equality comparisons may seem harmless but can lead to subtle, hard-to-debug issues. To ensure code reliability, stop using outdated tricks that compromise type safety. Eliminating this outdated JavaScript trick is one of the simplest ways to boost code stability.
String Concatenation with + Instead of Template Literals
Still building strings with +? That’s another outdated trick that modern developers should avoid. JavaScript ES6 introduced template literals, which make string construction far easier and cleaner. Using the + operator to combine strings is one of those outdated tricks that reduces readability and scalability. This outdated trick can also become a nightmare when embedding variables in complex strings. Template literals eliminate the need for this outdated JavaScript trick, allowing for better formatting and logic. Developers who still use outdated tricks like + for strings are missing out on more elegant syntax. Modern promotes clarity, and this outdated trick undermines that goal. If readability and maintainability matter, drop this outdated JavaScript trick immediately.
Manual DOM Manipulation Without Frameworks
Directly manipulating the DOM without a framework is another outdated JavaScript trick. While it may work for basic scripts, it becomes a burden in more dynamic applications. This outdated trick results in verbose, repetitive, and error-prone code. Libraries like React or Vue abstract away this outdated trick and offer state-driven interfaces. If you’re still relying on document.getElementById and similar APIs as your main method, you’re leaning on an outdated JavaScript trick. This outdated trick also makes your code harder to test and maintain. As user interfaces become more complex, outdated JavaScript tricks like this one will only slow you down. Abandoning this outdated trick leads to faster, more scalable development. Clean, component-based architecture is the clear upgrade to this outdated trick.
Using function Instead of Arrow Functions
Declaring functions with the function keyword is another outdated trick that can affect scope and readability. Arrow functions provide a more concise syntax and lexical this binding, which resolves many headaches caused by this outdated JavaScript trick. Despite being common for years, the function keyword has become an outdated trick for most modern use cases. Arrow functions make callbacks and one-liners significantly cleaner, unlike this outdated trick. Many tutorials still teach the function keyword, but its use as a default option is an outdated trick. You gain better performance, modern syntax, and cleaner code by replacing this outdated trick. Some situations may still require it, but in most cases, this outdated JavaScript trick should be retired. Embrace arrow functions and leave this outdated JavaScript trick in the past.
Where Modern JavaScript Is Headed
The outdated JavaScript tricks explored above reflect a past era of development one that no longer aligns with today’s best practices. As continues to evolve rapidly, clinging to outdated JavaScript tricks not only limits your efficiency but also signals technical debt. Developers and teams who move past outdated JavaScript tricks write cleaner, faster, and more secure code. Whether you’re building apps, contributing to open source, or working in enterprise environments, shedding outdated tricks is non-negotiable. Continuous improvement is at the heart of development, and that means leaving outdated JavaScript tricks behind once and for all.
