The Semicolon Debate in JavaScript Coding Practices

He prefers not using semicolons for coding simplicity, advocating for consistent styling across projects instead.

### The Debate Over Using Semicolons
The author reflects on the common criticism they receive for not using semicolons, comparing it to the **outdated debate over tabs versus spaces** in coding. They highlight that text editors have made the use of tabs and spaces **irrelevant**, yet the aversion to not using semicolons **persists in the community**. The author acknowledges different perspectives on the issue but emphasizes the **importance of doing what works best for each individual**.

### The Importance of Semicolons in JavaScript
Semicolons are crucial in JavaScript, especially before **immediately invoked function expressions (IIFE)**, to avoid errors. Missing a semicolon can cause JavaScript to **misinterpret code lines**, leading to **unexpected behavior**. Using an auto-formatter like Prettier can help **insert semicolons and format code correctly**, reducing the risk of bugs.

### The Impact of Semicolons in Coding
The author rarely encounters issues from not using semicolons, as their code generally **avoids problematic patterns**. Prettier and the text editor provide **quick fixes and error notifications**, making it easy to resolve any issues that arise. The author dislikes using semicolons due to the **extra mental effort and character typing**, and they are accustomed to programming languages that **don't require them**.

### The Debate on Using Semicolons in JavaScript
The author initially used semicolons in JavaScript but stopped after writing in Ruby, where they are **not needed**. They emphasize the importance of **consistent styling across a project** and recommend using tools like **prettier or eslint** for automatic formatting. Ultimately, the author believes it's a **personal choice** to use semicolons or not, as long as there is **consistency within the project**.

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### The Semicolon Debate: Why I Choose Not to Use Them
* 🤔 Many people often ask me why I don't use semicolons in my code, a question that has sparked **much debate** in the programming community.
* 💻 The argument over using tabs versus spaces was once a hot topic, but as text editors advanced, it became clear that this distinction was **largely irrelevant**.
* 😡 Despite the ease of switching between tabs and spaces, the criticism I face for not using semicolons remains strong, with some claiming it makes my tutorials "**trash**."
* 🛠 I utilize an extension called Prettier, which **automatically formats my code and adds semicolons where necessary**, mitigating any potential issues that might arise from their absence.
* 📉 In the rare cases where I encounter problems due to missing semicolons, Prettier quickly highlights the error, allowing me to **resolve it in under a second**.
* ✍ My main reason for avoiding semicolons is simply personal preference; I find them to be an **unnecessary extra character** that **complicates my coding process**.
* 🔄 Regardless of individual choices, the key takeaway is to **maintain consistent styling across projects**, whether that includes semicolons or not, and to use tools like **Prettier to enforce those styles**.
* 👍 Ultimately, whether you prefer to use semicolons or not, it's important to **code in a way that feels comfortable and effective for you**.

Why I Don't Use Semicolons In JavaScript

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