Prettier vs Standard JS: What are the differences?

Introduction:

Prettier and Standard JS are both popular code formatting tools used in the development of websites and applications. While they serve similar purposes, there are key differences between them that are worth understanding.

1. Configuration: Prettier is built on the philosophy of having zero-configuration. It aims to provide a consistent code style without any need for tweaking or customization. On the other hand, Standard JS offers more configurability, allowing developers to customize various aspects of the code style to align with their preferences or project requirements.

2. Code Analysis: Prettier focuses primarily on code formatting and does not analyze or enforce code quality rules. It does not enforce any particular coding conventions or rules, allowing developers to focus solely on formatting. In contrast, Standard JS not only helps with code formatting but also enforces a set of code quality rules. It checks for common programming errors, enforces best practices, and promotes a consistent coding style.

3. Integration with IDEs: Prettier offers seamless integration with a wide range of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) and code editors. It provides plugins or extensions that can be easily installed, enabling automatic formatting as you type. Standard JS also provides integrations with popular development tools, but the range of supported IDEs and editors may not be as extensive as Prettier.

4. Community and Ecosystem: Prettier has gained significant traction in the developer community for its simplicity and the overall code formatting experience it provides. It has a dedicated and active community, making it easier to seek help or find resources related to the tool. Standard JS also has a community following, but its adoption rate may vary across different projects or organizations.

5. JavaScript Language Support: Prettier supports a wide range of JavaScript language features and syntax, including ECMAScript 6 (ES6) and beyond. It aims to handle all the code formatting needs regardless of the JavaScript version used. On the other hand, Standard JS predominantly targets ECMAScript 5 (ES5) syntax, which may limit its applicability in projects that heavily rely on newer JavaScript features.

6. Extensibility and Customization: Prettier provides limited extensibility options, as its primary focus is to offer a consistent code format. While it allows some configuration through options, it does not provide extensive customization capabilities. In contrast, Standard JS allows developers to create custom rules or plugins to extend its functionality. This makes it possible to enforce additional code quality rules or tailor it to specific project requirements.

In Summary, Prettier emphasizes zero-configuration code formatting with a wide range of JavaScript language support, while Standard JS offers more configurability, enforces code quality rules, and provides extensibility options.