• Version Control - Use GIT version control to track changes and ensure code integrity. I highly recommend using source control, even on small side projects as it gives you the flexibility of implementing large refactors on separate branches.
• Standards and Guidelines - If you are working on a solution that needs to adhere to certain rules, verify that all code follows the coding standards and style guidelines. * eslint helps enforce these standards.
• Write readable code - Ensure that code is well-documented and easy to read and understand. A reminder that a human will be reading your code (could be you or someone else). Will they still make sense of it in a year or two?, be kind.
• Write extensible code - Make sure your code is written to be maintainable and extensible. Don't spend days rewriting the same thing, but where it makes sense to invest an extra bit of time to save you a ton of time in future, go for it.
• Integration - If you are working on code that's part of a bigger solution, make sure your code is compatible with the existing systems and frameworks.
• Validation - If your code supports any direct user input, or receives data from another source, make sure you are validating the user input and other data sources.
• Testing - Test all code for correct output and behavior. This can be done manually or if you prefer using a testing framework. Try Cypress (image) or Playwright (image)
• Error handling - Implement proper error handling and logging procedures. For Javascript, a simple "try catch" block could save an application from breaking completely. Always consider the end user.
• Performance - Check for memory leaks and other performance issues.
• Security - Ensure that security protocols are followed and data is encrypted.