Скачать или смотреть Optimizing JavaScript Command Handlers: Switch Case vs. If Statements

Explore how to optimize your JavaScript command handler by transitioning from `if statements` to a more efficient `switch case` solution. Learn the best practices for handling commands in your game!
---
This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/68939955/ asked by the user 'Nullify' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/12867367/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/68940203/ provided by the user 'Jordan Breton' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/5655434/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Switch case version of if(input.startsWith("string")) { ... } in JavaScript

Also, Content (except music) licensed under CC BY-SA https://meta.stackexchange.com/help/l...
The original Question post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license, and the original Answer post is licensed under the 'CC BY-SA 4.0' ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... ) license.

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Optimizing JavaScript Command Handlers: Switch Case vs. If Statements

Creating a command handler for a game can be an exciting yet challenging task. When your command handler starts to grow, you'll likely encounter numerous conditions that evaluate user input. A common question that arises is how to optimize this logic, specifically whether to convert an if statement pattern into a switch case. This post dives into that question and offers a solution that may be even more efficient.

The Problem: Redundant if Statements

You might find yourself using an intricate set of if statements to evaluate user input, as shown in the following code snippet:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

While this works, it results in code redundancy and can be optimized for better readability and functionality.

The Solution: A Cleaner, More Efficient Approach

Instead of utilizing numerous redundant if statements, you can enhance the logic by utilizing array destructuring and a single lookup for commands. The key steps are outlined below.

1. Split Input for Commands

The first step is to split the user input into command and its arguments. This can be achieved using JavaScript's array destructuring feature:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Here, cmd will contain the first word (the command), while args contains the subsequent arguments. This makes it super neat and compact.

2. Refactor the History Addition

There's no need to repeatedly call History.add(input) within each condition. You can simply call it once before evaluating the command:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

3. Utilize Object Lookup for Commands

Instead of using if or switch, you can directly check if the command exists within your commands object and execute it if valid:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Complete Code Example

By combining these steps, the following code becomes a more streamlined version of your command handler, elegant and easily maintained:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

While it may seem appealing to convert complex if statements into switch case, this isn't always the most efficient solution. The refactored approach presented above allows for cleaner, more maintainable code and highlights the beauty of array destructuring and object lookups in JavaScript. By adopting these practices, you will not only improve your command handler but also enhance your overall coding skills.

Embrace simplicity and clarity in your code and watch your game develop optimally!