Taming the Beast of Complex Expressions in Node.js with @shelf/evaluate-expressions
A Developer’s Dilemma: Simplifying Complexity
Picture this: you’re deep in the trenches of developing a sophisticated application. Your latest challenge? Implementing a rule engine that’s as dynamic as it is intricate. The users of your application can craft their own rules, weaving together complex expressions like modern-day alchemists. You’re staring at your screen, the clock ticking, wondering how to decode this puzzle without turning your code into an incomprehensible labyrinth. This is where @shelf/evaluate-expressions
enters the scene, like a knight in shining armor.
Unveiling the Hero: @shelf/evaluate-expressions
Imagine a tool so potent yet so elegant that it transforms the daunting task of evaluating multifaceted expressions into a walk in the park. @shelf/evaluate-expressions
is that tool.
It's a Node.js library crafted by Andrii Bakanov for developers who dare to venture beyond the ordinary, enabling them to evaluate expressions brimming with rules and joiners effortlessly.
Why Choose @shelf/evaluate-expressions
?
Think of this library as your Swiss Army knife for scenarios where complexity is the norm. Whether you're architecting a rule engine, devising a decision-making system, or anything in between, @shelf/evaluate-expressions
is your ally. It's perfect for data filtering, conditional UI rendering, and much more.
The Secret Sauce: How Does It Work?
At its core, @shelf/evaluate-expressions
employs a recursive approach. Picture a skilled detective unraveling a mystery, delving deeper into each clue. This method is like that, but for code, efficiently dissecting and evaluating expressions, no matter how nested or intricate they are.
The Toolbox: Operators and Joiners
Equipped with versatile operators and joiners, this library is like a linguist fluent in the language of expressions. It understands:
eq
(equals)neq
(not equals)contains
not_contains
And it speaks in and
& or
joiners, ensuring that your expressions are interpreted just as intended.
Lightweight Yet Mighty
Imagine a tool so feather-light yet robust, carrying just under 3KB of bundle size. It’s like packing a powerful gadget that fits in your pocket. Crafted in TypeScript, it offers the finesse of static typing with enhanced readability and maintainability.
And when it comes to security, @shelf/evaluate-expressions
is like a fortified castle, impervious to the common perils of dynamic code execution or web content manipulation. It sticks to its core mission – evaluating expressions safely and reliably.
Getting Started: A Simple Guide
Unleashing the power of @shelf/evaluate-expressions
is as simple as defining an expression object with a joiner
and an array of rules
. Whether it’s an and
or an or
joiner, it weaves your rules into a coherent expression. Here’s a sneak peek:
import type {Expression} from '@shelf/evaluate-expressions';
import {evaluateExpression} from '@shelf/evaluate-expressions';
const expression: Expression = {
joiner: 'and',
rules: [
{
joiner: 'or',
rules: [
{
variableId: 'variable-id-c',
operator: 'neq',
value: 'c',
},
{
variableId: 'variable-id-b',
operator: 'eq',
value: 'b',
},
],
},
{
variableId: 'variable-id-b',
operator: 'not_contains',
value: 'some',
},
{
variableId: 'variable-id-a',
operator: 'contains',
value: 'a',
},
],
};
const variablesWithValue = [
{
id: 'variable-id-a',
value: 'some-a',
},
{
id: 'variable-id-b',
value: 'b',
},
{
id: 'variable-id-c',
value: 'c',
},
];
const result = evaluateExpression(expression, variablesWithValue);
console.log(result); // true
Wrapping Up: Your New Secret Weapon
@shelf/evaluate-expressions
isn't just a tool; it's your secret weapon in the world of complex expression evaluation. It's lightweight, secure, and user-friendly, making it an invaluable addition to your developer toolkit. So next time you're faced with a formidable expression challenge, let @shelf/evaluate-expressions
be your guide to a simpler, more efficient solution.