What is the most efficient way to minimize the use of if statements in an Angular component when calling a specific function?

Question

What is the most efficient way to minimize the use of if statements in an Angular component when calling a specific function?

Currently, I am working on an Angular 7 temperature conversion application. Within my formGroup, there are inputs and outputs along with two multi-select dropdowns where users can choose the unit of temperature 'From' and 'To' for conversion (Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Kelvin).

Upon submitting the form in my component, I retrieve the input data using the following function:

submitForm(data) {
    this.input = data.input;
    this.unitInput= data.unitInput;
    this.unitTarget= data.unitTarget;
    this.output= data.output;
}

Initially, I was planning to use multiple `if` statements to determine which conversion function to call based on the selected units. However, having a long list of `if` statements seemed inefficient and poorly designed.

if (this.inputUnit === 'Celsius' && this.targetUnit === 'Fahrenheit') {
    this.celsiusToFahrenheitConversion();
}
if (this.inputUnit === 'Celsius' && this.targetUnit === 'Kelvin') {
    this.celsiusToKelvinConversion();
}
if (this.inputUnit === 'Celsius' && this.targetUnit === 'Rankine') {
    this.celsiusToRankineConversion();
}

This approach led to branching `if` blocks for different unit conversions like Fahrenheit, Kelvin, Rankine, and more. What if new types of units need to be added in the future? This made me reconsider my strategy.

If you have any suggestions or better approaches, I would appreciate your insights. Thank you!

javascript angular typescript

Answer 1

Answer №1

In my opinion, the most efficient solution for this problem would involve using a switch statement. While I understand that switch statements may not be everyone's favorite, sometimes they are necessary to handle certain scenarios.

switch(this.inputType) {
  case 'Celsius':
    switch(this.targetUnit) {
      case 'Fahrenheit':
        this.celsiusToFahrenheitConversion();
        break;
      case 'Kelvin':
        this.celsiusToKelvinConversion();
        break;
      case 'Rankine':
        this.celsiusToRankineConversion();
        break;
    }
    break;
  case 'Fahrenheit':
    break;
  case 'Rankine':
    break;
  case 'Kelvin':
    break;
}

However, keep in mind that these conversions are based on mathematical formulas. For example, converting Fahrenheit to Celsius involves the formula (32°F − 32) × 5/9, Fahrenheit to Kelvin is (32°F − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15, and Fahrenheit to Rankine is 32°F + 459.67. Since math follows a systematic approach, creating a conversion table as an object with lookup values could be a more organized way of handling this:

const magicalLookupTable = {
  celsius: {
    fahrenheit: () => {
      /** Implementation */
    },
    kelvin: () => {
      /** Implementation */
    }
  },
  fahrenheit: {
    celsius: () => {
      /** Implementation */
    },
    kelvin: () => {
      /** Implementation */
    }
  }
}

Answer 2

In my opinion, the most efficient solution for this problem would involve using a switch statement. While I understand that switch statements may not be everyone's favorite, sometimes they are necessary to handle certain scenarios.

switch(this.inputType) {
  case 'Celsius':
    switch(this.targetUnit) {
      case 'Fahrenheit':
        this.celsiusToFahrenheitConversion();
        break;
      case 'Kelvin':
        this.celsiusToKelvinConversion();
        break;
      case 'Rankine':
        this.celsiusToRankineConversion();
        break;
    }
    break;
  case 'Fahrenheit':
    break;
  case 'Rankine':
    break;
  case 'Kelvin':
    break;
}

However, keep in mind that these conversions are based on mathematical formulas. For example, converting Fahrenheit to Celsius involves the formula (32°F − 32) × 5/9, Fahrenheit to Kelvin is (32°F − 32) × 5/9 + 273.15, and Fahrenheit to Rankine is 32°F + 459.67. Since math follows a systematic approach, creating a conversion table as an object with lookup values could be a more organized way of handling this:

const magicalLookupTable = {
  celsius: {
    fahrenheit: () => {
      /** Implementation */
    },
    kelvin: () => {
      /** Implementation */
    }
  },
  fahrenheit: {
    celsius: () => {
      /** Implementation */
    },
    kelvin: () => {
      /** Implementation */
    }
  }
}

Answer 3

Answer №2

Upon observing this, I notice a combination of keys paired with function values.

An alternative approach to illustrate this concept is through the use of a standard object where the keys represent the combinations and correspond to specific functions:

const conversionMethods = {
    'miles-kilometers': this.milesToKilometersConversion,
    'pounds-kilograms': this.poundsToKilogramsConversion,
    'inches-centimeters': this.inchesToCentimetersConversion
};

const combinedKey = `${this.inputType.toLowerCase()}-${this.targetType.toLowerCase()}`;
const calculation = conversionMethods[combinedKey];

calculation();

Answer 4

Upon observing this, I notice a combination of keys paired with function values.

An alternative approach to illustrate this concept is through the use of a standard object where the keys represent the combinations and correspond to specific functions:

const conversionMethods = {
    'miles-kilometers': this.milesToKilometersConversion,
    'pounds-kilograms': this.poundsToKilogramsConversion,
    'inches-centimeters': this.inchesToCentimetersConversion
};

const combinedKey = `${this.inputType.toLowerCase()}-${this.targetType.toLowerCase()}`;
const calculation = conversionMethods[combinedKey];

calculation();

What is the most efficient way to minimize the use of if statements in an Angular component when calling a specific function?

Answer №1

Answer №2

Similar questions

reconfigure keyboard shortcuts in web browser

Best practices for extending the Array<T> in typescript

Perform an Angular HTTP request and await responses from multiple sources

What is the best way to update only a portion of a nested schema in mongoose?

Mongoose's hook function is effective in the pre-stage but ineffective in the post-stage

Implementing a JavaScript function that directs to the current page

Setting background colors for classes based on an array

Create a new tab that is active and use ng-repeat in the uib-tab directive

How can I convert the left links in my navigation bar to a CSS drop-down menu to make it more responsive on small screens?

Displaying an IP camera feed on a three.js canvas

Matching names with corresponding IDs from multiple arrays in React

I am having trouble retrieving the group attribute from the FormBuilder within my reactive form in React

Exploring the world of jQuery AJAX alongside Google's currency calculator

Launching a modal using a method in Vue.js that includes constantly changing content

Fundamentals of Angular 2

What causes the generation of an outdated object when utilizing the let and new keywords to create a new object within a service function?

Why is TypeScript resorting to using 'any' for specific prop type definitions in React?

Angular 6: Inconsistent performance of [(ngModel)] functionality

Ways to prevent users from being redirected when they press the back button on a webpage

Plane flying above a Box in ThreeJs