Should You Use Increment and Decrement Operators in JavaScript?

The Controversy Surrounding Increment and Decrement Operators in JavaScript

The jslint tool warns against the usage of the increment ( ) and decrement (--) operators for various reasons. However, the argument against these operators is somewhat controversial.

The Argument Against and --

The jslint tool specifically states that and -- encourage "excessive trickiness" and are known to lead to security vulnerabilities. Additionally, the PHP construct $foo[$bar ] is prone to off-by-one errors.

A Counterargument

While the concern about trickiness is valid, it can be mitigated by using and -- on separate lines, as in:

i++;
array[i] = foo;

This approach eliminates potential confusion. Furthermore, for loops are an exception, as the use of the increment operator is idiomatic and helps convey the intended purpose clearly.

Language Compatibility

The argument against and -- based on language compatibility is less convincing. JavaScript is a language of its own, and it should not be hindered by restrictions imposed by other languages. Besides, modern JavaScript environments offer robust error detection and debugging tools that can help identify potential pitfalls.

Conclusion

The decision of whether or not to use or -- ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, when used appropriately and with proper care, these operators can be valuable tools in JavaScript development.

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