Javascript Safe Assignment Operator (?=)

Javascript Safe Assignment Operator (?=)

let’s face it — error handling can be a real pain. Whether you’re fetching data from an API or processing a file, things can go wrong. And when they do, it can be a nightmare to track down the issue. That’s where the Safe Assignment Operator (?=) comes in — a proposed solution to make error handling in JavaScript a whole lot easier and more consistent.

So, what is this fancy operator?

The ?= operator breaks down a process into manageable chunks, making it easier to handle errors. When you use it, the result of a function is converted into a tuple (a pair of values):

• If the function succeeds: It returns [null, result].
• If the function fails: It returns [error, null].

This means you always have a clear way to check if something went wrong. And the best part? The ?= operator works with promises, async functions, and objects that support a special method called Symbol.result.

But why do we need it?

try-catch blocks can get messy. Each error adds another layer of indentation, making the code harder to read. And it’s easy to overlook handling certain errors, creating vulnerabilities. Not to mention the redundant steps you have to take, increasing complexity.