Syntax - Tasty Web Development Treats 794: Prettier JavaScript with Vjeux
5 snips
Jul 12, 2024 
In a fascinating conversation with Vjeux, an engineer at Meta and co-creator of React Native, they explore the creation and evolution of Prettier, a beloved code formatter. Vjeux shares challenges faced during development and how effective community feedback shaped its features. The discussion touches on why ESLint isn’t enough on its own and the distinctions between formatting and linting tools. Vjeux also highlights Prettier’s future and its impact on programming productivity across various languages, alongside advice for aspiring open-source contributors.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Initial Formatting Frustration
- Vjeux's first code review at Facebook involved nitpicking over minor formatting details.
- This experience highlighted the time wasted on style debates, sparking his interest in automated formatting.
Cost of Inconsistent Formatting
- Inconsistent formatting leads to wasted time debating style.
- This debate hinders productivity and code readability.
Inspiration and Failed Attempts
- Vjeux observed Go's formatter (gofmt) while frustrated with JS formatting issues.
- Existing JS formatters failed due to prioritizing features over edge cases and not having the right incentives.