Should You Always Use Semicolons in JavaScript?

Semicolon Insertion in JavaScript: Best Practices for Code Reliability

Semicolon insertion is a JavaScript feature that automatically adds semicolons to the end of statements when they're missing. This can be helpful in some cases, but it can also lead to unexpected behavior.

Benefits of Using Semicolons

Using semicolons after every statement has several advantages:

• Improved readability: Semicolons make code easier to read by separating statements clearly.
• Reduced ambiguity: Semicolons eliminate the potential for the parser to misinterpret line breaks as statement terminators. This can prevent errors and unexpected behavior.
• Consistency: Using semicolons consistently makes code more organized and consistent.

When to Leave Out Semicolons

While it's generally recommended to use semicolons after every statement, there are some exceptions:

• In arrow functions: Arrow functions do not require semicolons after the return statement.
• In certain object literals: Certain properties in object literals do not require a semicolon after them.

Why You Should Use Semicolons After Every Statement

Despite the exceptions mentioned above, it's advisable to use semicolons after every statement in JavaScript for the following reasons:

• Reliability: Semicolons ensure that your code will always behave as intended, regardless of the parser's interpretation of line breaks.
• Maintainability: Code with consistent semicolon usage is easier to maintain and debug.
• Future compatibility: JavaScript's version 10 will enforce stricter semicolon rules, making it necessary to use semicolons explicitly.

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