Common Modules: A Way Write to Reusable Code?

Have you ever built a LEGO set? You start with a bunch of small, colorful pieces, each with its own shape and size. As you follow the instructions, you begin to see how these pieces fit together to create something bigger - a spaceship, a castle, or maybe a city.

Now, imagine if you had to create each LEGO piece from scratch every time you wanted to build something. That would be incredibly time-consuming and frustrating, right? This is where the concept of reusable pieces, or in the world of programming, "common modules," comes into play.

What is a Common Module?

In the world of software development, a common module is like your box of LEGO pieces. It's a collection of code that can be used over and over again in different parts of a project. Just like how you can use the same LEGO piece to build a spaceship or a castle, you can use a common module to build different parts of a software application.

Common modules are especially important in React, a popular programming language used to build websites. In React, the reusable pieces of code are often components - these are like the building blocks of a website. A component could be a button, an input field where you type text, or a card that displays information.

But components aren't the only things that can be reused. There are also:

1. Custom Hooks: These are like special features you can add to your components. They're like the wheels on a LEGO car - they add functionality.
2. Business Logic: This is the part of the program that processes information, like the engine inside a LEGO car.
3. Constants: These are values that don't change, like the color of a specific LEGO piece.
4. Utility Functions: These are small pieces of code that perform common tasks, like a tool that helps you snap LEGO pieces together.

All of these can be stored in a common module, ready to be used wherever they're needed.

Why Do We Need Common Modules?

Imagine you're building a city out of LEGO. You're going to need a lot of bricks, right? Now, imagine if you had to make each brick from scratch. That would take forever! It's much easier to have a box of bricks that you can use over and over again.

The same is true in programming. Without a common module, you'd have to write the same code over and over again. This can lead to mistakes, and it's also a waste of time. With a common module, you write the code once, and then you can use it wherever you need it. This makes your code cleaner, easier to understand, and faster to write.

Here are some benefits of using common modules:

Benefits of Common Modules

1. Saves time
2. Reduces errors
3. Makes code easier to understand
4. Makes code faster to write
5. Keeps code organized

How Do We Create a Common Module?

Creating a common module is like organizing your LEGO pieces into a box. You need to decide what pieces you're going to need, and then you need to create a place to store them.

In programming, this place is usually a folder named 'common.' Inside this folder, you can store all your reusable components, hooks, business logic, constants, and utility functions. This way, whenever you need one of these pieces, you know exactly where to find it.

But creating a common module isn't just about storing code. It's also about making sure that code is easy to use and understand. This is where tools like Storybook come in. Storybook is a tool that lets you visualize your components, making it easier to see what they look like and how they work. It's like a catalog of all your LEGO pieces, showing you what each piece looks like and how it fits with the others.

However, just like maintaining a LEGO collection, maintaining a common module takes work. You need to make sure that the code in the module is up-to-date and that it's organized in a way that makes sense. If your common module gets too big or messy, it can become hard to navigate, just like a box of LEGO pieces that's been dumped out on the floor.

The Power of Reusability

In the end, the power of a common module comes from its reusability. Just like how you can use the same LEGO piece to build a spaceship, a castle, or a city, you can use the same piece of code to build different parts of a software application.

By creating a common module, you're not just saving time and effort. You're also making your code easier to understand and maintain. And just like how building with LEGO is more fun when you have a box of pieces to work with, programming is more fun when you have a common module full of reusable code.

So the next time you're working on a programming project, think about what pieces you can reuse. Create a common module, and see how it can help you build faster, cleaner, and more efficient code. After all, who doesn't love playing with LEGO?

Some Questions as it helps to get answers

What is a common module?

A common module is like a toolbox for a software application. It holds all the reusable parts that can be used to build different sections of the application.

Why are common modules important?

Common modules make building an application faster and easier. It's like having a toolbox that helps you fix anything in the house without needing to buy new tools each time.

What can be included in a common module?

Any part of the code that is used more than once in the application can be included in a common module. It's like keeping a screwdriver in your toolbox because you know you'll use it a lot.

How do I create a common module?

To create a common module, you find out which parts of your code you use a lot, then you store them in one place, like a toolbox.

What is Storybook and how does it help with common modules?

Storybook is like a catalog for your toolbox. It helps you see what each part of your code looks like and how it works.

How do I keep a common module organized?

Keeping a common module organized is like keeping your toolbox tidy. You make sure everything is up-to-date and easy to find. If your toolbox gets too full, you might get a second toolbox.

What does 'reusability' mean in the context of common modules?

Reusability means being able to use the same part of the code in different places. It's like using the same screwdriver to fix both a loose table leg and a squeaky door hinge.