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

Suggest using template literals instead of string concatenation. (prefer-template)

In ES2015 (ES6), we can use template literals instead of string concatenation.

var str = "Hello, " + name + "!";

/*eslint-env es6*/

var str = `Hello, ${name}!`;

Rule Details

This rule is aimed to flag usage of + operators with strings.

Examples

Examples of incorrect code for this rule:

/*eslint prefer-template: "error"*/

var str = "Hello, " + name + "!";
var str = "Time: " + (12 * 60 * 60 * 1000);

Examples of correct code for this rule:

/*eslint prefer-template: "error"*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

var str = "Hello World!";
var str = `Hello, ${name}!`;
var str = `Time: ${12 * 60 * 60 * 1000}`;

// This is reported by `no-useless-concat`.
var str = "Hello, " + "World!";

When Not To Use It

This rule should not be used in ES3/5 environments.

In ES2015 (ES6) or later, if you don't want to be notified about string concatenation, you can safely disable this rule.

Related Rules

• [no-useless-concat](no-useless-concat.md)
• [quotes](quotes.md) Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

Require using arrow functions for callbacks (prefer-arrow-callback)

Arrow functions can be an attractive alternative to function expressions for callbacks or function arguments.

For example, arrow functions are automatically bound to their surrounding scope/context. This provides an alternative to the pre-ES6 standard of explicitly binding function expressions to achieve similar behavior.

Additionally, arrow functions are:

• less verbose, and easier to reason about.

• bound lexically regardless of where or when they are invoked.

Rule Details

This rule locates function expressions used as callbacks or function arguments. An error will be produced for any that could be replaced by an arrow function without changing the result.

The following examples will be flagged:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: "error" */

foo(function(a) { return a; }); // ERROR
// prefer: foo(a => a)

foo(function() { return this.a; }.bind(this)); // ERROR
// prefer: foo(() => this.a)

Instances where an arrow function would not produce identical results will be ignored.

The following examples will not be flagged:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: "error" */
/* eslint-env es6 */

// arrow function callback
foo(a => a); // OK

// generator as callback
foo(function*() { yield; }); // OK

// function expression not used as callback or function argument
var foo = function foo(a) { return a; }; // OK

// unbound function expression callback
foo(function() { return this.a; }); // OK

// recursive named function callback
foo(function bar(n) { return n && n + bar(n - 1); }); // OK

Options

Access further control over this rule's behavior via an options object.

Default: { allowNamedFunctions: false, allowUnboundThis: true }

allowNamedFunctions

By default { "allowNamedFunctions": false }, this boolean option prohibits using named functions as callbacks or function arguments.

Changing this value to true will reverse this option's behavior by allowing use of named functions without restriction.

{ "allowNamedFunctions": true } will not flag the following example:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: [ "error", { "allowNamedFunctions": true } ] */

foo(function bar() {});

allowUnboundThis

By default { "allowUnboundThis": true }, this boolean option allows function expressions containing this to be used as callbacks, as long as the function in question has not been explicitly bound.

When set to false this option prohibits the use of function expressions as callbacks or function arguments entirely, without exception.

{ "allowUnboundThis": false } will flag the following examples:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: [ "error", { "allowUnboundThis": false } ] */
/* eslint-env es6 */

foo(function() { this.a; });

foo(function() { (() => this); });

someArray.map(function(itm) { return this.doSomething(itm); }, someObject);

When Not To Use It

• In environments that have not yet adopted ES6 language features (ES3/5).

• In ES6+ environments that allow the use of function expressions when describing callbacks or function arguments.

Further Reading

• More on ES6 arrow functions Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

require let or const instead of var (no-var)

ECMAScript 6 allows programmers to create variables with block scope instead of function scope using the let and const keywords. Block scope is common in many other programming languages and helps programmers avoid mistakes such as:

var count = people.length;
var enoughFood = count > sandwiches.length;

if (enoughFood) {
    var count = sandwiches.length; // accidentally overriding the count variable
    console.log("We have " + count + " sandwiches for everyone. Plenty for all!");
}

// our count variable is no longer accurate
console.log("We have " + count + " people and " + sandwiches.length + " sandwiches!");

Rule Details

This rule is aimed at discouraging the use of var and encouraging the use of const or let instead.

Examples

Examples of incorrect code for this rule:

/*eslint no-var: "error"*/

var x = "y";
var CONFIG = {};

Examples of correct code for this rule:

/*eslint no-var: "error"*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

let x = "y";
const CONFIG = {};

When Not To Use It

In addition to non-ES6 environments, existing JavaScript projects that are beginning to introduce ES6 into their codebase may not want to apply this rule if the cost of migrating from var to let is too costly. Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

Require using arrow functions for callbacks (prefer-arrow-callback)

Arrow functions can be an attractive alternative to function expressions for callbacks or function arguments.

For example, arrow functions are automatically bound to their surrounding scope/context. This provides an alternative to the pre-ES6 standard of explicitly binding function expressions to achieve similar behavior.

Additionally, arrow functions are:

• less verbose, and easier to reason about.

• bound lexically regardless of where or when they are invoked.

Rule Details

This rule locates function expressions used as callbacks or function arguments. An error will be produced for any that could be replaced by an arrow function without changing the result.

The following examples will be flagged:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: "error" */

foo(function(a) { return a; }); // ERROR
// prefer: foo(a => a)

foo(function() { return this.a; }.bind(this)); // ERROR
// prefer: foo(() => this.a)

Instances where an arrow function would not produce identical results will be ignored.

The following examples will not be flagged:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: "error" */
/* eslint-env es6 */

// arrow function callback
foo(a => a); // OK

// generator as callback
foo(function*() { yield; }); // OK

// function expression not used as callback or function argument
var foo = function foo(a) { return a; }; // OK

// unbound function expression callback
foo(function() { return this.a; }); // OK

// recursive named function callback
foo(function bar(n) { return n && n + bar(n - 1); }); // OK

Options

Access further control over this rule's behavior via an options object.

Default: { allowNamedFunctions: false, allowUnboundThis: true }

allowNamedFunctions

By default { "allowNamedFunctions": false }, this boolean option prohibits using named functions as callbacks or function arguments.

Changing this value to true will reverse this option's behavior by allowing use of named functions without restriction.

{ "allowNamedFunctions": true } will not flag the following example:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: [ "error", { "allowNamedFunctions": true } ] */

foo(function bar() {});

allowUnboundThis

By default { "allowUnboundThis": true }, this boolean option allows function expressions containing this to be used as callbacks, as long as the function in question has not been explicitly bound.

When set to false this option prohibits the use of function expressions as callbacks or function arguments entirely, without exception.

{ "allowUnboundThis": false } will flag the following examples:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: [ "error", { "allowUnboundThis": false } ] */
/* eslint-env es6 */

foo(function() { this.a; });

foo(function() { (() => this); });

someArray.map(function(itm) { return this.doSomething(itm); }, someObject);

When Not To Use It

• In environments that have not yet adopted ES6 language features (ES3/5).

• In ES6+ environments that allow the use of function expressions when describing callbacks or function arguments.

Further Reading

• More on ES6 arrow functions Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

require let or const instead of var (no-var)

ECMAScript 6 allows programmers to create variables with block scope instead of function scope using the let and const keywords. Block scope is common in many other programming languages and helps programmers avoid mistakes such as:

var count = people.length;
var enoughFood = count > sandwiches.length;

if (enoughFood) {
    var count = sandwiches.length; // accidentally overriding the count variable
    console.log("We have " + count + " sandwiches for everyone. Plenty for all!");
}

// our count variable is no longer accurate
console.log("We have " + count + " people and " + sandwiches.length + " sandwiches!");

Rule Details

This rule is aimed at discouraging the use of var and encouraging the use of const or let instead.

Examples

Examples of incorrect code for this rule:

/*eslint no-var: "error"*/

var x = "y";
var CONFIG = {};

Examples of correct code for this rule:

/*eslint no-var: "error"*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

let x = "y";
const CONFIG = {};

When Not To Use It

In addition to non-ES6 environments, existing JavaScript projects that are beginning to introduce ES6 into their codebase may not want to apply this rule if the cost of migrating from var to let is too costly. Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

require let or const instead of var (no-var)

ECMAScript 6 allows programmers to create variables with block scope instead of function scope using the let and const keywords. Block scope is common in many other programming languages and helps programmers avoid mistakes such as:

var count = people.length;
var enoughFood = count > sandwiches.length;

if (enoughFood) {
    var count = sandwiches.length; // accidentally overriding the count variable
    console.log("We have " + count + " sandwiches for everyone. Plenty for all!");
}

// our count variable is no longer accurate
console.log("We have " + count + " people and " + sandwiches.length + " sandwiches!");

Rule Details

This rule is aimed at discouraging the use of var and encouraging the use of const or let instead.

Examples

Examples of incorrect code for this rule:

/*eslint no-var: "error"*/

var x = "y";
var CONFIG = {};

Examples of correct code for this rule:

/*eslint no-var: "error"*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

let x = "y";
const CONFIG = {};

When Not To Use It

In addition to non-ES6 environments, existing JavaScript projects that are beginning to introduce ES6 into their codebase may not want to apply this rule if the cost of migrating from var to let is too costly. Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

Require using arrow functions for callbacks (prefer-arrow-callback)

Arrow functions can be an attractive alternative to function expressions for callbacks or function arguments.

For example, arrow functions are automatically bound to their surrounding scope/context. This provides an alternative to the pre-ES6 standard of explicitly binding function expressions to achieve similar behavior.

Additionally, arrow functions are:

• less verbose, and easier to reason about.

• bound lexically regardless of where or when they are invoked.

Rule Details

This rule locates function expressions used as callbacks or function arguments. An error will be produced for any that could be replaced by an arrow function without changing the result.

The following examples will be flagged:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: "error" */

foo(function(a) { return a; }); // ERROR
// prefer: foo(a => a)

foo(function() { return this.a; }.bind(this)); // ERROR
// prefer: foo(() => this.a)

Instances where an arrow function would not produce identical results will be ignored.

The following examples will not be flagged:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: "error" */
/* eslint-env es6 */

// arrow function callback
foo(a => a); // OK

// generator as callback
foo(function*() { yield; }); // OK

// function expression not used as callback or function argument
var foo = function foo(a) { return a; }; // OK

// unbound function expression callback
foo(function() { return this.a; }); // OK

// recursive named function callback
foo(function bar(n) { return n && n + bar(n - 1); }); // OK

Options

Access further control over this rule's behavior via an options object.

Default: { allowNamedFunctions: false, allowUnboundThis: true }

allowNamedFunctions

By default { "allowNamedFunctions": false }, this boolean option prohibits using named functions as callbacks or function arguments.

Changing this value to true will reverse this option's behavior by allowing use of named functions without restriction.

{ "allowNamedFunctions": true } will not flag the following example:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: [ "error", { "allowNamedFunctions": true } ] */

foo(function bar() {});

allowUnboundThis

By default { "allowUnboundThis": true }, this boolean option allows function expressions containing this to be used as callbacks, as long as the function in question has not been explicitly bound.

When set to false this option prohibits the use of function expressions as callbacks or function arguments entirely, without exception.

{ "allowUnboundThis": false } will flag the following examples:

/* eslint prefer-arrow-callback: [ "error", { "allowUnboundThis": false } ] */
/* eslint-env es6 */

foo(function() { this.a; });

foo(function() { (() => this); });

someArray.map(function(itm) { return this.doSomething(itm); }, someObject);

When Not To Use It

• In environments that have not yet adopted ES6 language features (ES3/5).

• In ES6+ environments that allow the use of function expressions when describing callbacks or function arguments.

Further Reading

• More on ES6 arrow functions Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

Disallow unnecessary concatenation of strings (no-useless-concat)

It's unnecessary to concatenate two strings together, such as:

var foo = "a" + "b";

This code is likely the result of refactoring where a variable was removed from the concatenation (such as "a" + b + "b"). In such a case, the concatenation isn't important and the code can be rewritten as:

var foo = "ab";

Rule Details

This rule aims to flag the concatenation of 2 literals when they could be combined into a single literal. Literals can be strings or template literals.

Examples of incorrect code for this rule:

/*eslint no-useless-concat: "error"*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

var a = `some` + `string`;

// these are the same as "10"
var a = '1' + '0';
var a = '1' + `0`;
var a = `1` + '0';
var a = `1` + `0`;

Examples of correct code for this rule:

/*eslint no-useless-concat: "error"*/

// when a non string is included
var c = a + b;
var c = '1' + a;
var a = 1 + '1';
var c = 1 - 2;
// when the string concatenation is multiline
var c = "foo" +
    "bar";

When Not To Use It

If you don't want to be notified about unnecessary string concatenation, you can safely disable this rule. Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

Disallow unnecessary concatenation of strings (no-useless-concat)

It's unnecessary to concatenate two strings together, such as:

var foo = "a" + "b";

This code is likely the result of refactoring where a variable was removed from the concatenation (such as "a" + b + "b"). In such a case, the concatenation isn't important and the code can be rewritten as:

var foo = "ab";

Rule Details

This rule aims to flag the concatenation of 2 literals when they could be combined into a single literal. Literals can be strings or template literals.

Examples of incorrect code for this rule:

/*eslint no-useless-concat: "error"*/
/*eslint-env es6*/

var a = `some` + `string`;

// these are the same as "10"
var a = '1' + '0';
var a = '1' + `0`;
var a = `1` + '0';
var a = `1` + `0`;

Examples of correct code for this rule:

/*eslint no-useless-concat: "error"*/

// when a non string is included
var c = a + b;
var c = '1' + a;
var a = 1 + '1';
var c = 1 - 2;
// when the string concatenation is multiline
var c = "foo" +
    "bar";

When Not To Use It

If you don't want to be notified about unnecessary string concatenation, you can safely disable this rule. Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/

For more information visit Source: http://eslint.org/docs/rules/