5 Tips to Write Cleaner Code in Expresia, a Digital Experience Platform

Custom digital solutions are essential in today's technological world, and Expresia stands out as an all-in-one Digital Experience Platform that allows developers to create future-proof digital assets. However, to make the most of this platform and ensure efficient and sustainable development, it's crucial to follow clean coding practices. Here are five tips for writing cleaner code in Expresia.

1. Eliminate Code Duplication

Code duplication can lead to various issues, including difficulty in maintenance and the introduction of potential errors. Expresia offers a robust set of tools for organizing and reusing code. Take advantage of the ability to organize similar functionalities into separate packages for use when needed. This practice makes it easier to update common functions across all instances where they are used.

Eliminating code duplication is not simply a hygiene factor; It is a strategic move to improve the longevity and scalability of your project. By reducing redundancy, you not only mitigate the risk of errors but also pave the way for a streamlined and efficient maintenance process as your project evolves.

2. Use Expresia's Code Bundles

Expresia provides a code bundling package system that facilitates the organization of similar functionalities. By grouping related functions into Code Bundles, code modularity, and readability are improved. Additionally, using the Code Bundles allows for more effective management of dependencies and facilitates collaboration among developers by sharing and reusing Bundles.

By leveraging Code Bundles, you create a more cohesive and organized codebase. This, in turn, enhances the efficiency of your development team and contributes to a smoother workflow.

If you have doubts about any of the terms used in this blog, please consult the Expresia Glossary.

3. Include Functions using Expresia's required SSJS System 

Within Expresia, the Require system is essential for importing functionalities from other bundles. Use it effectively to keep the code organized and avoid redundancy. Importing only the necessary functions from Bundles helps reduce complexity and maintain cleaner code. Moreover, the Require system makes it easy to update functions without affecting other parts of the code.

This ensures that your code remains modular and easy to manage, even as the project evolves. It enhances both the efficiency of development and the stability of your application.

4. Define a Style Guide

Maintaining consistent formatting is key to clean and easily understandable code. While Expresia provides the necessary flexibility, it's essential to establish and follow a code style guide. This includes decisions about duplication, the use of whitespace, and variable naming. A consistent style guide promotes uniformity in the code, making collaboration and long-term maintenance easier.

A well-defined style guide acts as a roadmap for developers, ensuring that the codebase remains cohesive and readable. This is especially valuable when multiple developers are working on the same project.

5. Minimize Function Size

Creating smaller, focused functions is a fundamental practice for reducing code complexity. Expresia allows you to break functions into more manageable units, facilitating debugging and understanding. Smaller functions are also easier to test and reuse. By dividing the code into specific functions, code readability and maintainability are enhanced.

Additional Tips:

Add Comments: Ensure to comment on complex functions or leave notes for future improvements. This helps quickly understand the purpose and functionality of each part of the code.

Use Whitespace: Adding spaces between different sections of functions, as well as within the functions themselves, significantly improves code readability.

Use Descriptive Variable Names: Choose variable names that clearly describe their purpose. This makes the code easier to understand and reduces the need for additional comments.

Multicultural teams: When working with multicultural teams, it is advisable to use a common language, such as English, when naming variables, functions, classes, identifiers (IDs), and bundles.

Following these tips when writing code in Expresia will not only improve the quality of your code but also facilitate collaboration and maintenance as your project evolves. Implementing clean coding practices in Expresia is essential to make the most of this powerful development platform. Book a demo today and learn how to use Expresia to ensure a more effective digital experience.