I've been a full-stack developer for almost a year now, primarily working with JavaScript in a chaotic startup environment that saw rapid changes in team members and development practices. My company has acquired a product that features seven different React frontends linked to one Node.js/Express backend, and everything is written in JavaScript (no TypeScript).
The codebase is a nightmare – we have three different state management tools across the frontends, which reflects just a fraction of the inconsistencies and odd solutions that were put in place during its development.
Honestly, I find writing JavaScript here quite frustrating. It seems that there's a complex and often convoluted solution needed for straightforward problems, and I long for a clearer and more standardized approach to coding. I enjoy working with SQL, bash, and Python when I get the chance, but those experiences have been simpler.
My question is this: from your experience, do these pain points improve with other languages? I'm aware every language has its issues, but I'm curious if switching away from JavaScript could offer a less chaotic development experience and better coding practices.
4 Answers
As someone with years of experience, I’d recommend starting to tidy up the specs you currently work with. Consider leveraging tools that encourage best practices and enforce standards in your code. This way, you can build a better foundation without needing a complete overhaul.
Hey there! As someone with over a decade of experience, I can say that messy code can happen in any language, not just JavaScript. If you're feeling burnt out, it might be worth exploring different languages or frameworks to rejuvenate your passion for coding. By the way, managing seven React apps with one backend sounds really tough! No wonder you’re feeling overwhelmed.
It's tough to judge JavaScript based solely on bad experiences with particular projects. Instead of getting frustrated, why not try to implement gradual improvements in your existing code? Small refactors can eventually lead to significant changes in code quality, even if it seems daunting now.
Yes, JavaScript can be a mess at times, especially with different frameworks. But perhaps it could help to share specific pain points you're facing! Understanding those can help others offer more precise advice or alternatives.
Yeah, it’s quite a situation! I really didn't expect the codebases to be this chaotic when we took over, but now it feels like we’re constantly firefighting.