Unicode JavaScript Variables and Functions
We all get a kick out of unicode symbols, as we all saw in my Unicode CSS Classes post, and just as we can use them for CSS classes, we can use them for JavaScript variables and functions as well! Let's say you want to shave a few bytes of post-minified JavaScript byes by setting false equal to a variable. Why not do so by using a unicode variable?
var ಠ_ಠ = false;
if(someVar === ಠ_ಠ) { // If someVar is false...
// ...
}
Hilarious. The evil eyes signal a negative result. What about saving a few byes on true? The Beatles once said that "All You Need is Love", so let's use a heart:
var ❤ = true;
if(someVar === ❤) {
// ...
}
You can do the same with function names. Functions can be named after unicode symbols:
function ಠ(arg) {
// ...
}
Of course all of this is a bit ... insane, and you should never use unicode symbols, but nonetheless it's possible. Imagine starting a new job and seeing those symbols as meaningful variables -- you'd quit immediately! Hilarious!
![7 Essential JavaScript Functions]()
I remember the early days of JavaScript where you needed a simple function for just about everything because the browser vendors implemented features differently, and not just edge features, basic features, like addEventListener and attachEvent. Times have changed but there are still a few functions each developer should...
![JavaScript Promise API]()
While synchronous code is easier to follow and debug, async is generally better for performance and flexibility. Why "hold up the show" when you can trigger numerous requests at once and then handle them when each is ready? Promises are becoming a big part of the JavaScript world...
![PHP Woot Checker – Tech, Wine, and Shirt Woot]()
If you haven't heard of Woot.com, you've been living under a rock. For those who have been under the proverbial rock, here's the plot:
Every day, Woot sells one product.
Once the item is sold out, no more items are available for purchase.
You don't know how many...
![Duplicate the jQuery Homepage Tooltips Using Dojo]()
The jQuery homepage has a pretty suave tooltip-like effect as seen below:
Here's how to accomplish this same effect using Dojo.
The XHTML
The above HTML was taken directly from the jQuery homepage -- no changes.
The CSS
The above CSS has been slightly modified to match the CSS rules already...
I could see this improving minification when processing files with many variables/methods in the same scope (if they don’t use it already, I’m not sure).
Unicode characters are useless for minification, each unicode character uses 2 bytes instead of 1 in utf8. Also, there is no reason not to use unicode in variable names if you properly declare encoding in your html.
Actually, some characters take up to 4 bytes, not just 2. The Kannada letter TTHA in the example rakes 3 bytes for example, so “false” was minified from 5 bytes to 7 :P
lol, it’s a funny joke. but I think it may be realize if some protocol is developed in the future. so cool!