Cognitive Complexity

Cognitive Complexity is a measure of how difficult a unit of code is to intuitively understand. Unlike Cyclomatic Complexity, which determines how difficult your code will be to test, Cognitive Complexity tells you how difficult your code will be to read and comprehend.

A method's cognitive complexity is based on a few simple rules:

• Code is not considered more complex when it uses shorthand that the language provides for collapsing multiple statements into one
• Code is considered more complex for each "break in the linear flow of the code"
• Code is considered more complex when "flow breaking structures are nested"

Further reading

• Cognitive Complexity docs
• Cognitive Complexity: A new way of measuring understandability

Cognitive Complexity

Cognitive Complexity is a measure of how difficult a unit of code is to intuitively understand. Unlike Cyclomatic Complexity, which determines how difficult your code will be to test, Cognitive Complexity tells you how difficult your code will be to read and comprehend.

A method's cognitive complexity is based on a few simple rules:

• Code is not considered more complex when it uses shorthand that the language provides for collapsing multiple statements into one
• Code is considered more complex for each "break in the linear flow of the code"
• Code is considered more complex when "flow breaking structures are nested"

Further reading

• Cognitive Complexity docs
• Cognitive Complexity: A new way of measuring understandability

Prefer destructuring from arrays and objects (prefer-destructuring)

With JavaScript ES6, a new syntax was added for creating variables from an array index or object property, called destructuring. This rule enforces usage of destructuring instead of accessing a property through a member expression.

Rule Details

Options

This rule takes two sets of configuration objects. The first object parameter determines what types of destructuring the rule applies to.

The two properties, array and object, can be used to turn on or off the destructuring requirement for each of those types independently. By default, both are true.

Alternatively, you can use separate configurations for different assignment types. It accepts 2 other keys instead of array and object.

One key is VariableDeclarator and the other is AssignmentExpression, which can be used to control the destructuring requirement for each of those types independently. Each property accepts an object that accepts two properties, array and object, which can be used to control the destructuring requirement for each of array and object independently for variable declarations and assignment expressions. By default, array and object are set to true for both VariableDeclarator and AssignmentExpression.

The rule has a second object with a single key, enforceForRenamedProperties, which determines whether the object destructuring applies to renamed variables.

Examples of incorrect code for this rule:

// With `array` enabled
var foo = array[0];

// With `object` enabled
var foo = object.foo;
var foo = object['foo'];

Examples of correct code for this rule:

// With `array` enabled
var [ foo ] = array;
var foo = array[someIndex];

// With `object` enabled
var { foo } = object;

var foo = object.bar;

let foo;
({ foo } = object);

Examples of incorrect code when enforceForRenamedProperties is enabled:

var foo = object.bar;

Examples of correct code when enforceForRenamedProperties is enabled:

var { bar: foo } = object;

An example configuration, with the defaults array and object filled in, looks like this:

{
  "rules": {
    "prefer-destructuring": ["error", {
      "array": true,
      "object": true
    }, {
      "enforceForRenamedProperties": false
    }]
  }
}

The two properties, array and object, which can be used to turn on or off the destructuring requirement for each of those types independently. By default, both are true.

For example, the following configuration enforces only object destructuring, but not array destructuring:

{
  "rules": {
    "prefer-destructuring": ["error", {"object": true, "array": false}]
  }
}

An example configuration, with the defaults VariableDeclarator and AssignmentExpression filled in, looks like this:

{
  "rules": {
    "prefer-destructuring": ["error", {
      "VariableDeclarator": {
        "array": false,
        "object": true
      },
      "AssignmentExpression": {
        "array": true,
        "object": true
      }
    }, {
      "enforceForRenamedProperties": false
    }]
  }
}

The two properties, VariableDeclarator and AssignmentExpression, which can be used to turn on or off the destructuring requirement for array and object. By default, all values are true.

For example, the following configuration enforces object destructuring in variable declarations and enforces array destructuring in assignment expressions.

{
  "rules": {
    "prefer-destructuring": ["error", {
      "VariableDeclarator": {
        "array": false,
        "object": true
      },
      "AssignmentExpression": {
        "array": true,
        "object": false
      }
    }, {
      "enforceForRenamedProperties": false
    }]
  }
}

Examples of correct code when object destructuring in VariableDeclarator is enforced:

/* eslint prefer-destructuring: ["error", {VariableDeclarator: {object: true}}] */
var {bar: foo} = object;

Examples of correct code when array destructuring in AssignmentExpression is enforced:

/* eslint prefer-destructuring: ["error", {AssignmentExpression: {array: true}}] */
[bar] = array;

When Not To Use It

If you want to be able to access array indices or object properties directly, you can either configure the rule to your tastes or disable the rule entirely.

Additionally, if you intend to access large array indices directly, like:

var foo = array[100];

Then the array part of this rule is not recommended, as destructuring does not match this use case very well.

Or for non-iterable 'array-like' objects:

var $ = require('jquery');
var foo = $('body')[0];
var [bar] = $('body'); // fails with a TypeError

Further Reading

If you want to learn more about destructuring, check out the links below:

• Destructuring Assignment (MDN)
• Destructuring and parameter handling in ECMAScript 6 (2ality blog) Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

Prefer destructuring from arrays and objects (prefer-destructuring)

With JavaScript ES6, a new syntax was added for creating variables from an array index or object property, called destructuring. This rule enforces usage of destructuring instead of accessing a property through a member expression.

Rule Details

Options

This rule takes two sets of configuration objects. The first object parameter determines what types of destructuring the rule applies to.

The two properties, array and object, can be used to turn on or off the destructuring requirement for each of those types independently. By default, both are true.

Alternatively, you can use separate configurations for different assignment types. It accepts 2 other keys instead of array and object.

One key is VariableDeclarator and the other is AssignmentExpression, which can be used to control the destructuring requirement for each of those types independently. Each property accepts an object that accepts two properties, array and object, which can be used to control the destructuring requirement for each of array and object independently for variable declarations and assignment expressions. By default, array and object are set to true for both VariableDeclarator and AssignmentExpression.

The rule has a second object with a single key, enforceForRenamedProperties, which determines whether the object destructuring applies to renamed variables.

Examples of incorrect code for this rule:

// With `array` enabled
var foo = array[0];

// With `object` enabled
var foo = object.foo;
var foo = object['foo'];

Examples of correct code for this rule:

// With `array` enabled
var [ foo ] = array;
var foo = array[someIndex];

// With `object` enabled
var { foo } = object;

var foo = object.bar;

let foo;
({ foo } = object);

Examples of incorrect code when enforceForRenamedProperties is enabled:

var foo = object.bar;

Examples of correct code when enforceForRenamedProperties is enabled:

var { bar: foo } = object;

An example configuration, with the defaults array and object filled in, looks like this:

{
  "rules": {
    "prefer-destructuring": ["error", {
      "array": true,
      "object": true
    }, {
      "enforceForRenamedProperties": false
    }]
  }
}

The two properties, array and object, which can be used to turn on or off the destructuring requirement for each of those types independently. By default, both are true.

For example, the following configuration enforces only object destructuring, but not array destructuring:

{
  "rules": {
    "prefer-destructuring": ["error", {"object": true, "array": false}]
  }
}

An example configuration, with the defaults VariableDeclarator and AssignmentExpression filled in, looks like this:

{
  "rules": {
    "prefer-destructuring": ["error", {
      "VariableDeclarator": {
        "array": false,
        "object": true
      },
      "AssignmentExpression": {
        "array": true,
        "object": true
      }
    }, {
      "enforceForRenamedProperties": false
    }]
  }
}

The two properties, VariableDeclarator and AssignmentExpression, which can be used to turn on or off the destructuring requirement for array and object. By default, all values are true.

For example, the following configuration enforces object destructuring in variable declarations and enforces array destructuring in assignment expressions.

{
  "rules": {
    "prefer-destructuring": ["error", {
      "VariableDeclarator": {
        "array": false,
        "object": true
      },
      "AssignmentExpression": {
        "array": true,
        "object": false
      }
    }, {
      "enforceForRenamedProperties": false
    }]
  }
}

Examples of correct code when object destructuring in VariableDeclarator is enforced:

/* eslint prefer-destructuring: ["error", {VariableDeclarator: {object: true}}] */
var {bar: foo} = object;

Examples of correct code when array destructuring in AssignmentExpression is enforced:

/* eslint prefer-destructuring: ["error", {AssignmentExpression: {array: true}}] */
[bar] = array;

When Not To Use It

If you want to be able to access array indices or object properties directly, you can either configure the rule to your tastes or disable the rule entirely.

Additionally, if you intend to access large array indices directly, like:

var foo = array[100];

Then the array part of this rule is not recommended, as destructuring does not match this use case very well.

Or for non-iterable 'array-like' objects:

var $ = require('jquery');
var foo = $('body')[0];
var [bar] = $('body'); // fails with a TypeError

Further Reading

If you want to learn more about destructuring, check out the links below:

• Destructuring Assignment (MDN)
• Destructuring and parameter handling in ECMAScript 6 (2ality blog) Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

Require parens in arrow function arguments (arrow-parens)

Arrow functions can omit parentheses when they have exactly one parameter. In all other cases the parameter(s) must be wrapped in parentheses. This rule enforces the consistent use of parentheses in arrow functions.

Rule Details

This rule enforces parentheses around arrow function parameters regardless of arity. For example:

/*eslint-env es6*/

// Bad
a => {}

// Good
(a) => {}

Following this style will help you find arrow functions (=>) which may be mistakenly included in a condition when a comparison such as >= was the intent.

/*eslint-env es6*/

// Bad
if (a => 2) {
}

// Good
if (a >= 2) {
}

The rule can also be configured to discourage the use of parens when they are not required:

/*eslint-env es6*/

// Bad
(a) => {}

// Good
a => {}

Options

This rule has a string option and an object one.

String options are:

• "always" (default) requires parens around arguments in all cases.
• "as-needed" allows omitting parens when there is only one argument.

Object properties for variants of the "as-needed" option:

• "requireForBlockBody": true modifies the as-needed rule in order to require parens if the function body is in an instructions block (surrounded by braces).

always

Examples of incorrect code for this rule with the default "always" option:

/*eslint arrow-parens: ["error", "always"]*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

a => {};
a => a;
a => {'\n'};
a.then(foo => {});
a.then(foo => a);
a(foo => { if (true) {} });

Examples of correct code for this rule with the default "always" option:

/*eslint arrow-parens: ["error", "always"]*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

() => {};
(a) => {};
(a) => a;
(a) => {'\n'}
a.then((foo) => {});
a.then((foo) => { if (true) {} });

If Statements

One of benefits of this option is that it prevents the incorrect use of arrow functions in conditionals:

/*eslint-env es6*/

var a = 1;
var b = 2;
// ...
if (a => b) {
 console.log('bigger');
} else {
 console.log('smaller');
}
// outputs 'bigger', not smaller as expected

The contents of the if statement is an arrow function, not a comparison.

If the arrow function is intentional, it should be wrapped in parens to remove ambiguity.

/*eslint-env es6*/

var a = 1;
var b = 0;
// ...
if ((a) => b) {
 console.log('truthy value returned');
} else {
 console.log('falsey value returned');
}
// outputs 'truthy value returned'

The following is another example of this behavior:

/*eslint-env es6*/

var a = 1, b = 2, c = 3, d = 4;
var f = a => b ? c: d;
// f = ?

f is an arrow function which takes a as an argument and returns the result of b ? c: d.

This should be rewritten like so:

/*eslint-env es6*/

var a = 1, b = 2, c = 3, d = 4;
var f = (a) => b ? c: d;

as-needed

Examples of incorrect code for this rule with the "as-needed" option:

/*eslint arrow-parens: ["error", "as-needed"]*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

(a) => {};
(a) => a;
(a) => {'\n'};
a.then((foo) => {});
a.then((foo) => a);
a((foo) => { if (true) {} });

Examples of correct code for this rule with the "as-needed" option:

/*eslint arrow-parens: ["error", "as-needed"]*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

() => {};
a => {};
a => a;
a => {'\n'};
a.then(foo => {});
a.then(foo => { if (true) {} });
(a, b, c) => a;
(a = 10) => a;
([a, b]) => a;
({a, b}) => a;

requireForBlockBody

Examples of incorrect code for the { "requireForBlockBody": true } option:

/*eslint arrow-parens: [2, "as-needed", { "requireForBlockBody": true }]*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

(a) => a;
a => {};
a => {'\n'};
a.map((x) => x * x);
a.map(x => {
  return x * x;
});
a.then(foo => {});

Examples of correct code for the { "requireForBlockBody": true } option:

/*eslint arrow-parens: [2, "as-needed", { "requireForBlockBody": true }]*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

(a) => {};
(a) => {'\n'};
a => ({});
() => {};
a => a;
a.then((foo) => {});
a.then((foo) => { if (true) {} });
a((foo) => { if (true) {} });
(a, b, c) => a;
(a = 10) => a;
([a, b]) => a;
({a, b}) => a;

Further Reading

• The "as-needed", { "requireForBlockBody": true } rule is directly inspired by the Airbnb JS Style Guide. Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

Duplicated Code

Duplicated code can lead to software that is hard to understand and difficult to change. The Don't Repeat Yourself (DRY) principle states:

Every piece of knowledge must have a single, unambiguous, authoritative representation within a system.

When you violate DRY, bugs and maintenance problems are sure to follow. Duplicated code has a tendency to both continue to replicate and also to diverge (leaving bugs as two similar implementations differ in subtle ways).

Tuning

This issue has a mass of 259.

We set useful threshold defaults for the languages we support but you may want to adjust these settings based on your project guidelines.

The threshold configuration represents the minimum mass a code block must have to be analyzed for duplication. The lower the threshold, the more fine-grained the comparison.

If the engine is too easily reporting duplication, try raising the threshold. If you suspect that the engine isn't catching enough duplication, try lowering the threshold. The best setting tends to differ from language to language.

See codeclimate-duplication's documentation for more information about tuning the mass threshold in your .codeclimate.yml.

Refactorings

• Extract Method
• Extract Class
• Form Template Method
• Introduce Null Object
• Pull Up Method
• Pull Up Field
• Substitute Algorithm

Further Reading

• Don't Repeat Yourself on the C2 Wiki
• Duplicated Code on SourceMaking
• Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code by Martin Fowler. Duplicated Code, p76

Duplicated Code

Duplicated code can lead to software that is hard to understand and difficult to change. The Don't Repeat Yourself (DRY) principle states:

Every piece of knowledge must have a single, unambiguous, authoritative representation within a system.

When you violate DRY, bugs and maintenance problems are sure to follow. Duplicated code has a tendency to both continue to replicate and also to diverge (leaving bugs as two similar implementations differ in subtle ways).

Tuning

This issue has a mass of 259.

We set useful threshold defaults for the languages we support but you may want to adjust these settings based on your project guidelines.

The threshold configuration represents the minimum mass a code block must have to be analyzed for duplication. The lower the threshold, the more fine-grained the comparison.

If the engine is too easily reporting duplication, try raising the threshold. If you suspect that the engine isn't catching enough duplication, try lowering the threshold. The best setting tends to differ from language to language.

See codeclimate-duplication's documentation for more information about tuning the mass threshold in your .codeclimate.yml.

Refactorings

• Extract Method
• Extract Class
• Form Template Method
• Introduce Null Object
• Pull Up Method
• Pull Up Field
• Substitute Algorithm

Further Reading

• Don't Repeat Yourself on the C2 Wiki
• Duplicated Code on SourceMaking
• Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code by Martin Fowler. Duplicated Code, p76

Duplicated Code

Duplicated code can lead to software that is hard to understand and difficult to change. The Don't Repeat Yourself (DRY) principle states:

Every piece of knowledge must have a single, unambiguous, authoritative representation within a system.

When you violate DRY, bugs and maintenance problems are sure to follow. Duplicated code has a tendency to both continue to replicate and also to diverge (leaving bugs as two similar implementations differ in subtle ways).

Tuning

This issue has a mass of 59.

We set useful threshold defaults for the languages we support but you may want to adjust these settings based on your project guidelines.

The threshold configuration represents the minimum mass a code block must have to be analyzed for duplication. The lower the threshold, the more fine-grained the comparison.

If the engine is too easily reporting duplication, try raising the threshold. If you suspect that the engine isn't catching enough duplication, try lowering the threshold. The best setting tends to differ from language to language.

See codeclimate-duplication's documentation for more information about tuning the mass threshold in your .codeclimate.yml.

Refactorings

• Extract Method
• Extract Class
• Form Template Method
• Introduce Null Object
• Pull Up Method
• Pull Up Field
• Substitute Algorithm

Further Reading

• Don't Repeat Yourself on the C2 Wiki
• Duplicated Code on SourceMaking
• Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code by Martin Fowler. Duplicated Code, p76