Minify JavaScript

Started by jaysh4922, 11-30-2016, 22:49:13

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jaysh4922Topic starter

Why Minify JavaScript?


fayeseom

When I was at DrupalCon Denver I suggested that all production JavaScript should be minified. This seemed like something simple that I wouldn't get any push back on. After all, the major JavaScript packages do it and the performance recommendation tools all recommend it. I was wrong. Over the past couple weeks I've received push back from numerous people who've told that me if you use gzip (or deflate) compression there's no need to minify JavaScript. So, here is a case for minifying JavaScript.


wellliving

There are a lot of programs that will minify your Javascript code for free – all you have to do is simply google "Javascript minifier", and these sites will simply ask you to submit your Javascript code and will return the minified result.

nancyv

#3
In the ENGINEEREDWEB[dot]COM blog "why minify javascript?" have a very good clarification about JavaScript minify;

1. drupal.js and jquery.once.js are smaller minified than compressed with gzip. Because of these two files have lots of fantastic documentation in them. When a file is minified this is stripped out as it's not needed for functionality.

2. Good for saving total bandwidth of your website through the saving of the website's total files size.

3. For the avoidance of the unnecessary round trip requests.
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Usman Shani

 Minification in Javascript is the process of removing all characters that are not necessary from the Javascript source code. That is why it is called "minification" – because all of the data that is not necessary to the functioning of the Javascript is removed from the source code, and therefore the Javascript is "minimized". Even though these characters are removed from the Javascript source code, the functionality of the Javascript code does not change at all. So, your Javascript code will behave exactly the same even after it goes through the minification process. Code that has gone through the minification process is also known as "minified" code.


Yuga

#5
There are several reasons why it is beneficial to minify JavaScript. First, minification reduces the size of the JavaScript file by removing unnecessary characters such as whitespace, comments, and unused code. This can greatly improve the loading speed of web pages since smaller file sizes result in faster downloads.

Second, minified JavaScript also helps to obfuscate the code, making it harder for others to understand or reverse engineer. This can be useful in protecting intellectual property and preventing unauthorized modifications.

Finally, minification can also help optimize the execution of JavaScript code by eliminating redundant operations and improving code structure. This can lead to better runtime performance and more efficient resource utilization.


few more reasons why minifying JavaScript is advantageous:

1. Bandwidth Optimization: Minification reduces the file size of JavaScript, which leads to reduced bandwidth consumption. This is especially crucial for users with limited internet connectivity or when accessing web pages on mobile devices.

2. Improved Caching: Minified JavaScript files can be cached more effectively by browsers and content delivery networks (CDNs). When a user revisits a website, the browser can retrieve the cached file, resulting in faster page loads and reduced server load.

3. Better SEO Performance: Faster loading times and optimized code can positively impact search engine optimization (SEO). Search engines tend to favor websites with faster load times, making minification an important factor in improving rankings.

4. Compatibility: Some older browsers have limitations on the file size they can handle or may not support certain JavaScript features. Minifying JavaScript can help ensure broader compatibility across different platforms and devices.

5. Easier Code Maintenance: Minification often goes hand in hand with other code optimization practices like code linting and tree shaking. These practices help identify and remove unused variables, functions, or modules, making the codebase cleaner and easier to maintain.

points on why minifying JavaScript is important:

1. Reduced HTTP Requests: Minifying JavaScript can help reduce the number of HTTP requests made by a webpage. Combining multiple JavaScript files into a single minified file reduces the overhead of establishing multiple connections, resulting in faster page loads.

2. Code Compression: Minification involves compressing the code by removing unnecessary characters and replacing variable names with shorter alternatives. This compression can significantly reduce the size of JavaScript files, making them quicker to download and parse.

3. Enhanced Code Security: Minification helps make it more challenging for malicious actors to understand and exploit vulnerabilities in the code. By removing comments, reducing whitespace, and renaming variables, it becomes harder to discern the logic and inner workings of the script.

4. Improved User Experience: Minifying JavaScript contributes to a smoother and more responsive user experience. Faster page loads and improved performance can lead to higher user engagement, reduced bounce rates, and increased conversions.

5. Third-party Considerations: When using third-party libraries or frameworks, minifying JavaScript can optimize their integration. Combining and minifying all JavaScript code, including external dependencies, can mitigate potential conflicts or errors that may arise from loading multiple scripts.

seigell971

Google hates java script. So, avoid java script as much possible. Minifying java script reduces its size. So, the loading time will reduce. We should always minify the java scripts to load faster in order the increase website loading speed. Loading time is also a ranking factor. So, it helps you in achieving higher ranking.
Amina Seigell
Digital marketing Manager at https://seigellconsultants.com/
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