--- stage: none group: unassigned info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/product/ux/technical-writing/#assignments --- # Vue.js style guide ## Linting We default to [eslint-vue-plugin](https://github.com/vuejs/eslint-plugin-vue), with the `plugin:vue/recommended`. Check the [rules](https://github.com/vuejs/eslint-plugin-vue#bulb-rules) for more documentation. ## Basic Rules 1. The service has its own file 1. The store has its own file 1. Use a function in the bundle file to instantiate the Vue component: ```javascript // bad class { init() { new Component({}) } } // good document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', () => new Vue({ el: '#element', components: { componentName }, render: createElement => createElement('component-name'), })); ``` 1. Do not use a singleton for the service or the store ```javascript // bad class Store { constructor() { if (!this.prototype.singleton) { // do something } } } // good class Store { constructor() { // do something } } ``` 1. Use `.vue` for Vue templates. Do not use `%template` in HAML. 1. Explicitly define data being passed into the Vue app ```javascript // bad return new Vue({ el: '#element', name: 'ComponentNameRoot', components: { componentName }, provide: { ...someDataset }, props: { ...anotherDataset }, render: createElement => createElement('component-name'), })); // good const { foobar, barfoo } = someDataset; const { foo, bar } = anotherDataset; return new Vue({ el: '#element', name: 'ComponentNameRoot', components: { componentName }, provide: { foobar, barfoo }, props: { foo, bar }, render: createElement => createElement('component-name'), })); ``` We discourage the use of the spread operator in this specific case in order to keep our codebase explicit, discoverable, and searchable. This applies in any place where we would benefit from the above, such as when [initializing Vuex state](../vuex.md#why-not-just-spread-the-initial-state). The pattern above also enables us to easily parse non scalar values during instantiation. ```javascript return new Vue({ el: '#element', name: 'ComponentNameRoot', components: { componentName }, props: { foo, bar: parseBoolean(bar) }, render: createElement => createElement('component-name'), })); ``` ## Naming 1. **Extensions**: Use `.vue` extension for Vue components. Do not use `.js` as file extension ([#34371](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-foss/-/issues/34371)). 1. **Reference Naming**: Use PascalCase for their default imports: ```javascript // bad import cardBoard from 'cardBoard.vue' components: { cardBoard, }; // good import CardBoard from 'cardBoard.vue' components: { CardBoard, }; ``` 1. **Props Naming:** Avoid using DOM component prop names. 1. **Props Naming:** Use kebab-case instead of camelCase to provide props in templates. ```html // bad // good // bad // good ``` ## Alignment 1. Follow these alignment styles for the template method: 1. With more than one attribute, all attributes should be on a new line: ```html // bad // good ``` 1. The tag can be inline if there is only one attribute: ```html // good // good // bad ``` ## Quotes 1. Always use double quotes `"` inside templates and single quotes `'` for all other JS. ```javascript // bad template: ` ` // good template: ` ` ``` ## Props 1. Props should be declared as an object ```javascript // bad props: ['foo'] // good props: { foo: { type: String, required: false, default: 'bar' } } ``` 1. Required key should always be provided when declaring a prop ```javascript // bad props: { foo: { type: String, } } // good props: { foo: { type: String, required: false, default: 'bar' } } ``` 1. Default key should be provided if the prop is not required. There are some scenarios where we need to check for the existence of the property. On those a default key should not be provided. ```javascript // good props: { foo: { type: String, required: false, } } // good props: { foo: { type: String, required: false, default: 'bar' } } // good props: { foo: { type: String, required: true } } ``` ## Data 1. `data` method should always be a function ```javascript // bad data: { foo: 'foo' } // good data() { return { foo: 'foo' }; } ``` ## Directives 1. Shorthand `@` is preferable over `v-on` ```html // bad // good ``` 1. Shorthand `:` is preferable over `v-bind` ```html // bad // good ``` 1. Shorthand `#` is preferable over `v-slot` ```html // bad // good ``` ## Closing tags 1. Prefer self-closing component tags ```html // bad // good ``` ## Component usage within templates 1. Prefer a component's kebab-cased name over other styles when using it in a template ```html // bad // good ``` ## Ordering 1. Tag order in `.vue` file ```html // We don't use scoped styles but there are few instances of this ``` 1. Properties in a Vue Component: Check [order of properties in components rule](https://github.com/vuejs/eslint-plugin-vue/blob/master/docs/rules/order-in-components.md). ## `:key` When using `v-for` you need to provide a *unique* `:key` attribute for each item. 1. If the elements of the array being iterated have an unique `id` it is advised to use it: ```html
``` 1. When the elements being iterated don't have a unique ID, you can use the array index as the `:key` attribute ```html
``` 1. When using `v-for` with `template` and there is more than one child element, the `:key` values must be unique. It's advised to use `kebab-case` namespaces. ```html ``` 1. When dealing with nested `v-for` use the same guidelines as above. ```html
``` Useful links: 1. [Maintaining State](https://v2.vuejs.org/v2/guide/list.html#Maintaining-State) 1. [Vue Style Guide: Keyed v-for](https://vuejs.org/v2/style-guide/#Keyed-v-for-essential) ## Vue testing Over time, a number of programming patterns and style preferences have emerged in our efforts to effectively test Vue components. The following guide describes some of these. **These are not strict guidelines**, but rather a collection of suggestions and good practices that aim to provide insight into how we write Vue tests at GitLab. ### Mounting a component Typically, when testing a Vue component, the component should be "re-mounted" in every test block. To achieve this: 1. Create a mutable `wrapper` variable inside the top-level `describe` block. 1. Mount the component using [`mount`](https://v1.test-utils.vuejs.org/api/#mount) or [`shallowMount`](https://v1.test-utils.vuejs.org/api/#shallowMount). 1. Reassign the resulting [`Wrapper`](https://v1.test-utils.vuejs.org/api/wrapper/#wrapper) instance to our `wrapper` variable. Creating a global, mutable wrapper provides a number of advantages, including the ability to: - Define common functions for finding components/DOM elements: ```javascript import MyComponent from '~/path/to/my_component.vue'; describe('MyComponent', () => { let wrapper; // this can now be reused across tests const findMyComponent = wrapper.findComponent(MyComponent); // ... }) ``` - Use a `beforeEach` block to mount the component (see [the `createComponent` factory](#the-createcomponent-factory) for more information). - Automatically destroy the component after the test is run with [`enableAutoDestroy`](https://v1.test-utils.vuejs.org/api/#enableautodestroy-hook) set in [`shared_test_setup.js`](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab/-/blob/d0bdc8370ef17891fd718a4578e41fef97cf065d/spec/frontend/__helpers__/shared_test_setup.js#L20). #### The `createComponent` factory To avoid duplicating our mounting logic, it's useful to define a `createComponent` factory function that we can reuse in each test block. This is a closure which should reassign our `wrapper` variable to the result of [`mount`](https://v1.test-utils.vuejs.org/api/#mount) and [`shallowMount`](https://v1.test-utils.vuejs.org/api/#shallowMount): ```javascript import MyComponent from '~/path/to/my_component.vue'; import { shallowMount } from '@vue/test-utils'; describe('MyComponent', () => { // Initiate the "global" wrapper variable. This will be used throughout our test: let wrapper; // Define our `createComponent` factory: function createComponent() { // Mount component and reassign `wrapper`: wrapper = shallowMount(MyComponent); } it('mounts', () => { createComponent(); expect(wrapper.exists()).toBe(true); }); it('`isLoading` prop defaults to `false`', () => { createComponent(); expect(wrapper.props('isLoading')).toBe(false); }); }) ``` Similarly, we could further de-duplicate our test by calling `createComponent` in a `beforeEach` block: ```javascript import MyComponent from '~/path/to/my_component.vue'; import { shallowMount } from '@vue/test-utils'; describe('MyComponent', () => { // Initiate the "global" wrapper variable. This will be used throughout our test let wrapper; // define our `createComponent` factory function createComponent() { // mount component and reassign `wrapper` wrapper = shallowMount(MyComponent); } beforeEach(() => { createComponent(); }); it('mounts', () => { expect(wrapper.exists()).toBe(true); }); it('`isLoading` prop defaults to `false`', () => { expect(wrapper.props('isLoading')).toBe(false); }); }) ``` #### `createComponent` best practices 1. Consider using a single (or a limited number of) object arguments over many arguments. Defining single parameters for common data like `props` is okay, but keep in mind our [JavaScript style guide](javascript.md#limit-number-of-parameters) and stay within the parameter number limit: ```javascript // bad function createComponent(data, props, methods, isLoading, mountFn) { } // good function createComponent({ data, props, methods, stubs, isLoading } = {}) { } // good function createComponent(props = {}, { data, methods, stubs, isLoading } = {}) { } ``` 1. If you require both `mount` _and_ `shallowMount` within the same set of tests, it can be useful define a `mountFn` parameter for the `createComponent` factory that accepts the mounting function (`mount` or `shallowMount`) to be used to mount the component: ```javascript import { shallowMount } from '@vue/test-utils'; function createComponent({ mountFn = shallowMount } = {}) { } ``` 1. Use the `mountExtended` and `shallowMountExtended` helpers to expose `wrapper.findByTestId()`: ```javascript import { shallowMountExtended } from 'helpers/vue_test_utils_helper'; import { SomeComponent } from 'components/some_component.vue'; let wrapper; const createWrapper = () => { wrapper = shallowMountExtended(SomeComponent); }; const someButton = () => wrapper.findByTestId('someButtonTestId'); ``` ### Setting component state 1. Avoid using [`setProps`](https://v1.test-utils.vuejs.org/api/wrapper/#setprops) to set component state wherever possible. Instead, set the component's [`propsData`](https://v1.test-utils.vuejs.org/api/options.html#propsdata) when mounting the component: ```javascript // bad wrapper = shallowMount(MyComponent); wrapper.setProps({ myProp: 'my cool prop' }); // good wrapper = shallowMount({ propsData: { myProp: 'my cool prop' } }); ``` The exception here is when you wish to test component reactivity in some way. For example, you may want to test the output of a component when after a particular watcher has executed. Using `setProps` to test such behavior is okay. ### Accessing component state 1. When accessing props or attributes, prefer the `wrapper.props('myProp')` syntax over `wrapper.props().myProp` or `wrapper.vm.myProp`: ```javascript // good expect(wrapper.props().myProp).toBe(true); expect(wrapper.attributes().myAttr).toBe(true); // better expect(wrapper.props('myProp').toBe(true); expect(wrapper.attributes('myAttr')).toBe(true); ``` 1. When asserting multiple props, check the deep equality of the `props()` object with [`toEqual`](https://jestjs.io/docs/expect#toequalvalue): ```javascript // good expect(wrapper.props('propA')).toBe('valueA'); expect(wrapper.props('propB')).toBe('valueB'); expect(wrapper.props('propC')).toBe('valueC'); // better expect(wrapper.props()).toEqual({ propA: 'valueA', propB: 'valueB', propC: 'valueC', }); ``` 1. If you are only interested in some of the props, you can use [`toMatchObject`](https://jestjs.io/docs/expect#tomatchobjectobject). Prefer `toMatchObject` over [`expect.objectContaining`](https://jestjs.io/docs/expect#expectobjectcontainingobject): ```javascript // good expect(wrapper.props()).toEqual(expect.objectContaining({ propA: 'valueA', propB: 'valueB', })); // better expect(wrapper.props()).toMatchObject({ propA: 'valueA', propB: 'valueB', }); ``` ## The JavaScript/Vue Accord The goal of this accord is to make sure we are all on the same page. 1. When writing Vue, you may not use jQuery in your application. 1. If you need to grab data from the DOM, you may query the DOM 1 time while bootstrapping your application to grab data attributes using `dataset`. You can do this without jQuery. 1. You may use a jQuery dependency in Vue.js following [this example from the docs](https://vuejs.org/v2/examples/select2.html). 1. If an outside jQuery Event needs to be listen to inside the Vue application, you may use jQuery event listeners. 1. We avoid adding new jQuery events when they are not required. Instead of adding new jQuery events take a look at [different methods to do the same task](https://v2.vuejs.org/v2/api/#vm-emit). 1. You may query the `window` object one time, while bootstrapping your application for application specific data (for example, `scrollTo` is ok to access anytime). Do this access during the bootstrapping of your application. 1. You may have a temporary but immediate need to create technical debt by writing code that does not follow our standards, to be refactored later. Maintainers need to be ok with the tech debt in the first place. An issue should be created for that tech debt to evaluate it further and discuss. In the coming months you should fix that tech debt, with its priority to be determined by maintainers. 1. When creating tech debt you must write the tests for that code before hand and those tests may not be rewritten. For example, jQuery tests rewritten to Vue tests. 1. You may choose to use VueX as a centralized state management. If you choose not to use VueX, you must use the *store pattern* which can be found in the [Vue.js documentation](https://v2.vuejs.org/v2/guide/state-management.html#Simple-State-Management-from-Scratch). 1. Once you have chosen a centralized state-management solution you must use it for your entire application. Don't mix and match your state-management solutions.