Underused JavaScript Gems: Tips Every Fullstack Python Developer Should Know

Jenny Ouyang
5 min readOct 18, 2024

As a fullstack engineer, I spend the majority of my time writing backend code in Python. However, I also dive into JavaScript frequently when working on the frontend. Over time, I’ve discovered that while JavaScript is a powerful language, it hides some of its best tools under the hood. In this article, I’ll introduce you to some underused JavaScript gems that have not only made my code cleaner but also more efficient and readable. If you’re a Python developer like me, these tricks will help you write slicker JavaScript in no time.

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Let’s dive into some tips, with explanations, code examples, and even a bit of performance discussion where relevant!

1. Optional Chaining (?.)

What it is: Optional chaining is a great shortcut when it comes to accessing deeply nested object properties. It avoids errors like “Cannot read property ‘X’ of undefined” when accessing properties that might not exist.

Code Example:

const user = {
name: 'John',
address: {
city: 'New York',
}
};

console.log(user?.address?.city); // Output: "New York"
console.log(user?.contact?.phone); //…

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Jenny Ouyang
Jenny Ouyang

Written by Jenny Ouyang

✨️Thank you for following me and joining my journey. A Programmer | PhD | Parent passionate about tech, AI, housing, and the intricacies of human nature.