Javascript Template Strings Dont Pretty Print Objects

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with JavaScript template strings not pretty printing objects the way you want them to? You're not alone! Let's dive into this common issue and explore some tips on how to tackle it.

When working with JavaScript template strings, they are a great tool for building dynamic strings more easily. However, when trying to pretty print objects using template strings, you might run into some challenges. The default behavior of template strings doesn't offer a straightforward way to achieve a nicely formatted output for objects.

One common approach to pretty printing objects in JavaScript is by using the `JSON.stringify()` method. This method allows you to convert a JavaScript object into a JSON string, making it easier to display structured data neatly. To incorporate `JSON.stringify()` into your template strings, you can embed it directly within the template.

Here's an example to illustrate how you can pretty print an object using JSON.stringify within a JavaScript template string:

const myObject = {
    name: 'John Doe',
    age: 30,
    city: 'New York'
};

const formattedOutput = `
    Pretty printed object:
    ${JSON.stringify(myObject, null, 2)}
`;

console.log(formattedOutput);

In this code snippet, we have an object `myObject`, and by utilizing `${JSON.stringify(myObject, null, 2)}` within the template string, we achieve a well-formatted output for the object. The `null` parameter is for replacer function, and `2` is for the space you want to use for indentation.

It's worth noting that the `JSON.stringify()` method accepts two optional parameters: `replacer` and `space`. The `replacer` parameter allows you to determine which properties of the object should be included in the JSON string. When set to `null`, all properties are included. The `space` parameter specifies the indentation level for the formatted JSON string.

Another handy trick when pretty printing objects in JavaScript is the use of third-party libraries like `lodash` or `prettier`. These libraries offer additional utility functions and formatting options that can help streamline the process of handling complex object structures.

In conclusion, while JavaScript template strings don't inherently provide a direct method for pretty printing objects, you can leverage the `JSON.stringify()` method to achieve a clean and structured output. By incorporating this technique into your code, you can effectively display object data in a visually appealing manner. Additionally, exploring third-party libraries can further enhance your object formatting capabilities and simplify your development workflow.