Prefer Default Export Eslint Error

Dealing with linting errors is a common part of our daily coding journey. One error you may encounter is the "Prefer default export" ESLint error. But don’t worry, this article will help you understand what this error means and how you can fix it in your code.

First off, let's understand why this error occurs. In JavaScript modules, there are two ways to export a module: default exports and named exports. When ESLint shows you the "Prefer default export" error, it’s suggesting that you use a default export instead of named exports.

To fix this error, you need to identify where in your codebase ESLint is flagging this issue. Look for any 'export' statements where you are exporting named functions, classes, or variables. For example, if you have something like this:

Plaintext

export function myFunction() {
  // function logic here
}

ESLint might throw a warning asking you to prefer a default export. To resolve this, you can convert it to a default export:

Plaintext

export default function myFunction() {
  // function logic here
}

By changing from a named export to a default export, you are ensuring a cleaner and more concise module structure. It also helps in better code readability as consumers of your module will have a clearer understanding of what the primary export is.

Another common scenario where this error can pop up is when you have multiple named exports in a file but no default export. In such cases, you can consolidate your exports into a single default export to satisfy ESLint. Here's an example of how you can do this:

Javascript

// Before
export function functionA() {
  // functionA logic here
}

export function functionB() {
  // functionB logic here
}

// After
const functionA = () =&gt; {
  // functionA logic here
}

const functionB = () =&gt; {
  // functionB logic here
}

export default { functionA, functionB };

By grouping all your named exports under a default export object, you can maintain the individual functionalities while adhering to the default export preference suggested by ESLint.

Remember, linting errors like this one might seem trivial, but following best practices and keeping your codebase clean will save you a lot of time and headaches in the long run.

In conclusion, the "Prefer default export" ESLint error nudges you towards using default exports over named exports for better organization and readability of your code. Making this simple adjustment can improve the maintainability and consistency of your codebase. So the next time you encounter this linting error, embrace it as an opportunity to enhance your code quality and structure.

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