Understanding the Distinction between Methods and Functions

When it comes to programming, it’s essential to distinguish between methods and functions. While they may seem similar at first glance, there are important differences to consider. Functions: A function is a self-contained piece of code that performs a specific task. It can be called and executed independently. Here are a couple of examples: const bark = () => { console.log('wof!'); } bark(); function bark() { console.log('wof!'); } bark(); In both cases, the bark function stands on its own and can be invoked directly....

Understanding the Distinction Between null and undefined in JavaScript

In JavaScript, both null and undefined are primitive types with different meanings. It is crucial to understand the distinctions between them. undefined: When a variable is declared but not assigned any value, it is considered undefined. For example: let age; // age is undefined It is important to note that attempting to access a variable that has not been declared will result in a ReferenceError: <variable> is not defined error, which is different from undefined....

Understanding the getOwnPropertyDescriptors() Method in JavaScript

The getOwnPropertyDescriptors() method of the Object object in JavaScript allows us to retrieve all own (non-inherited) property descriptors of an object. By using this method, we can obtain a new object that provides a comprehensive list of descriptors. Here’s an example to illustrate its usage: const dog = {} Object.defineProperties(dog, { breed: { value: 'Siberian Husky' } }) Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptors(dog) /* { breed: { value: 'Siberian Husky', writable: false, enumerable: false, configurable: false } } */ One key use case for this method arises from the limitations of Object....

Understanding the GPL License: A Comprehensive Overview

As a developer, you undoubtedly encounter numerous libraries and software that are licensed under the GPL. In this blog post, we will provide a concise yet informative summary of the GPL license. We will explore what you can and cannot do with software licensed under the GPL, as well as the necessary obligations when utilizing such software. Historically, the GPL has been the bedrock of Open Source software. Richard Stallman created this license in 1989 for the GNU Project, an initiative focused on developing a free software version of the proprietary UNIX Operating System....

Understanding the hasOwnProperty() Method in JavaScript

The hasOwnProperty() method in JavaScript allows you to determine whether an object has a specific property. It is useful when you need to check if an object instance has a property with a particular name. Syntax The hasOwnProperty() method is called on an object instance and takes a string argument. It follows the syntax: object.hasOwnProperty(property) Return Value If the object instance has a property with the name specified in the string argument, the method returns true....

Understanding the HTML `a` Tag: A Comprehensive Guide

Learn the essential aspects of working with the HTML a tag to create effective and user-friendly links. Links in HTML are created using the a tag, with the link destination specified by its href attribute. Let’s take a look at an example: <a href="https://flaviocopes.com">click here</a> In the above example, we have an absolute URL. However, links can also work with relative URLs: <a href="/test">click here</a> In this case, when the user clicks the link, they will be redirected to the /test URL within the current origin....

Understanding the Icons Used by Next.js in Your App

Discover the meaning behind the icons generated by Next.js during development. When working on a Next.js app, you may have noticed a small icon in the bottom right corner of the page that resembles a lightning bolt. If you hover over the icon, you will see the message “Prerendered page”. This icon is only visible in development mode and indicates that the page is eligible for automatic static optimization. Essentially, this means that the page does not rely on data that needs to be fetched at runtime....

Understanding the Issue with `useLocation` and `useHistory` in React Router

If you’ve ever encountered a scenario where the useLocation and useHistory hooks from React Router returned undefined, you’re not alone. This can be a confusing issue that may leave you scratching your head. But fear not, there’s a simple explanation and solution. The first step is to understand how the useLocation and useHistory hooks work. These hooks allow you to access the current location and history objects provided by React Router....

Understanding the JavaScript `filter()` Function

In JavaScript, the filter() function is an essential method for arrays. It allows you to create a new array by filtering out elements from an existing array based on a specified condition. To use filter(), you simply call it on the array and pass in a function as an argument. This function will be executed for each element in the array, and only the elements that fulfill the condition specified in the function will be included in the new filtered array....

Understanding the JavaScript `map()` Function

The map() function in JavaScript is a crucial method when it comes to programming in a functional manner. An example of using the map() function involves iterating through an array, applying a specified function (f()) to each element, and building a new array with the results: const b = a.map(f); Using map(), we can create a new array from an existing array, and then further filter the result using the filter() function....