Are there any drawbacks to placing ES6 import statements at the end of code files?

Question

Are there any drawbacks to placing ES6 import statements at the end of code files?

While exploring examples from Apollo Client, I recently discovered a practice of placing all import statements at the bottom of a .js file. This seems like a clever idea because usually, when opening a file, import statements are not the primary focus.

If the order does not matter in certain cases, is there any drawback we should consider with this approach?

It appears that this practice might be limited to examples only, as the same company places imports at the top in production code. However, it's unclear why this couldn't be applied to production code as well. We are using TypeScript, but I believe the concerns are similar with vanilla ES6.

javascript typescript import module ecmascript-6

Answer 1

Answer №1

Typically, it's best practice to declare or define something before using it. The order of operations should follow a logical sequence for easier readability. For instance, importing dependencies at the top of a file is expected by most developers.

This principle also applies to functions: while you can technically use a function before declaring it, convention dictates that the declaration should precede its usage. This way, readers can easily find and understand the function's implementation:

var result = add(10, 5);

// more code here

function add(a, b) {
  return a + b;
}

It's worth noting that having import statements at the top isn't necessarily the preferred method for everyone.

I respectfully disagree with this stance. When reviewing a file, I find examining its dependencies and connections to other project files crucial for comprehension.

Imagine trying to grasp the essence of a file without knowing what external resources it relies on. It would be like entering a maze blindfolded. A structured approach, starting with imports, ensures a smoother understanding of the codebase.

Answer 2

Typically, it's best practice to declare or define something before using it. The order of operations should follow a logical sequence for easier readability. For instance, importing dependencies at the top of a file is expected by most developers.

This principle also applies to functions: while you can technically use a function before declaring it, convention dictates that the declaration should precede its usage. This way, readers can easily find and understand the function's implementation:

var result = add(10, 5);

// more code here

function add(a, b) {
  return a + b;
}

It's worth noting that having import statements at the top isn't necessarily the preferred method for everyone.

I respectfully disagree with this stance. When reviewing a file, I find examining its dependencies and connections to other project files crucial for comprehension.

Imagine trying to grasp the essence of a file without knowing what external resources it relies on. It would be like entering a maze blindfolded. A structured approach, starting with imports, ensures a smoother understanding of the codebase.

Answer 3

Answer №2

Placing import statements at the conclusion of a module is a simply brilliant notion! 👍

I consistently prioritize logic ahead of implementation specifics

export const outcome = sum(8, 3);

function sum (x, y) {
  return x + y;
}

because, when examining code, as well as creating tests - I prefer to first understand WHAT it accomplishes, not HOW.

Moving import statements to the end will significantly enhance the clarity of my code 👍👍

ps. I utilize Parcel for bundling - and it handles such code flawlessly

Answer 4

Placing import statements at the conclusion of a module is a simply brilliant notion! 👍

I consistently prioritize logic ahead of implementation specifics

export const outcome = sum(8, 3);

function sum (x, y) {
  return x + y;
}

because, when examining code, as well as creating tests - I prefer to first understand WHAT it accomplishes, not HOW.

Moving import statements to the end will significantly enhance the clarity of my code 👍👍

ps. I utilize Parcel for bundling - and it handles such code flawlessly

Are there any drawbacks to placing ES6 import statements at the end of code files?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Similar questions

I'm looking for a method in JavaScript that can search through my XML file to locate specific attributes and return the entire parent element containing that attribute. Can anyone help with

Upon attempting to retrieve a package version, NPM responds with an error stating "bash command not found."

React Three Fiber - THREE.BufferGeometry.computeBoundingSphere(): The calculated radius is invalid. It is possible that the "position" attribute contains NaN values causing this issue

webpack-enabled angular timer

What is the best way to merge render and composer functions?

Implement a dynamic loading feature using AJAX, pushState, and Jekyll for a

What is the reason behind fullstack-angular generator utilizing Lo-Dash's merge rather than document.set?

I'm looking to utilize the websocket protocol with JavaScript, can anyone provide guidance on

A tutorial on how to switch classes between two tabs with a click event in Vue.js

Iterate over the elements within the AJAX response

Add a new child component template with each click using the onclick event in Angular

Restrict access to table records by specifying an array of row identifiers

Issue with Bcrypt comparison resulting in constant false output

Executing a callback in Node.js after a loop is complete

What is the method for adding local images to FormData in Expo version 48 and above?

The Angular code is currently unable to retrieve the quiz ID

Unable to submit the value of the hidden input field

Is it possible to refresh the chat-box using PHP?

Can you suggest an efficient method for routing with EJS templates on an Express server without constantly repeating code?

Trigger a scope update externally, without relying on a controller