Fix JavaScript Lint Errors In Stdlib-js

Nov 4, 2025 by Admin 40 views

Hey everyone,

We've got a bit of a situation – some JavaScript linting errors have popped up in the stdlib-js/stdlib repository. This article will break down what happened, why it matters, and how we can get it fixed.

What Happened?

Our automated JavaScript lint workflow run detected some linting failures. Basically, the linter found code that doesn't quite meet our style and quality standards. Here's a quick rundown of the details:

Run: https://github.com/stdlib-js/stdlib/actions/runs/19053168200
Type: JavaScript Linting
Date: 2025-11-04 00:12:10 UTC

Digging Into the Error Details

The error occurred during the linting process and involves a cycle in the dependencies between several @stdlib/ndarray packages. Specifically, the error message points to a dependency chain that includes @stdlib/ndarray/dtype-ctor, @stdlib/ndarray/base/bytes-per-element, @stdlib/ndarray/dtypes, and others, ultimately looping back to @stdlib/array/base/accessor-getter. This cycle prevents the packages from being sorted correctly, causing the linting process to fail.

make[1]: Entering directory '/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib'

Linting file: lib/node_modules/@stdlib/assert/is-circular-array/examples/index.js

Linting file: lib/node_modules/@stdlib/_tools/pkgs/toposort/examples/index.js

Oops! Something went wrong! :(

ESLint: 8.57.1

Error: unexpected error. Failed to sort packages. Detected the following dependency chain containing a cycle: `@stdlib/ndarray/dtype-ctor -> @stdlib/ndarray/base/bytes-per-element -> @stdlib/ndarray/dtypes -> @stdlib/ndarray/base/dtype-objects -> @stdlib/ndarray/dtype-ctor -> @stdlib/ndarray/base/assert/is-data-type-string -> @stdlib/array/base/assert/contains -> @stdlib/array/base/accessor-getter`.
    at sort (/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/lib/node_modules/@stdlib/_tools/pkgs/toposort/lib/sort.js:111:9)
    at onPkgs (/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/lib/node_modules/@stdlib/_tools/pkgs/toposort/lib/async.js:92:11)
    at onGlob (/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/lib/node_modules/@stdlib/_tools/pkgs/names/lib/async.js:98:3)
    at f (/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/node_modules/once/once.js:25:25)
    at Glob.<anonymous> (/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/node_modules/glob/glob.js:148:7)
    at Glob.emit (node:events:524:28)
    at Glob._finish (/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/node_modules/glob/glob.js:194:8)
    at next (/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/node_modules/glob/glob.js:213:12)
    at /home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/node_modules/glob/glob.js:245:9
    at /home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/node_modules/fs.realpath/index.js:37:7
Linting failed.

Linting file: lib/node_modules/@stdlib/array/base/cuevery-by-right/examples/index.js

Linting file: lib/node_modules/@stdlib/blas/ext/base/sdsnansum/examples/index.js

Linting file: lib/node_modules/@stdlib/assert/is-domain-name/examples/index.js
make[1]: *** [/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/tools/make/lib/lint/javascript/eslint.mk:261: eslint-files] Error 1
make[1]: Leaving directory '/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib'
make: *** [/home/runner/work/stdlib/stdlib/tools/make/lib/lint/javascript/Makefile:158: lint-javascript-files] Error 2

Why This Matters

Linting is a crucial part of maintaining a high-quality codebase. It helps us catch potential errors, enforce consistent coding styles, and improve the overall readability of our code. When linting fails, it's a sign that something isn't quite right, and we need to address it to prevent future issues.

The Root Cause: Dependency Cycle

The core issue lies in a dependency cycle among several @stdlib/ndarray packages. This means that these packages are referencing each other in a way that creates a circular dependency, making it impossible to determine the correct order in which they should be processed during linting. Dependency cycles can lead to various problems, including:

Build issues: Circular dependencies can prevent the build process from completing successfully.
Runtime errors: In some cases, circular dependencies can cause unexpected behavior or errors at runtime.
Maintenance difficulties: Complex dependency graphs make it harder to understand and maintain the codebase.

Steps to Resolve

Resolving this issue involves identifying the exact location of the dependency cycle and breaking it. This might require refactoring the code to remove the circular references. Here’s a general approach:

Analyze the Dependency Graph: Use tools like madge or dependency-cruiser to visualize the dependency graph and identify the cycle.
Identify the Culprit: Pinpoint the specific files and functions that are causing the circular dependency.
Refactor the Code: Restructure the code to remove the circular references. This might involve:
- Moving code to a different package.
- Introducing an abstraction to break the direct dependency.
- Re-evaluating the design to eliminate the need for the cycle.
Test Thoroughly: After refactoring, run thorough tests to ensure that the changes haven't introduced any regressions.

How to Contribute a Fix

If you're interested in helping us fix this issue, here's how you can contribute:

Pull Request Instructions

Please use the following PR title format: chore: fix JavaScript lint errors (issue #<ISSUE_NUMBER>).
Reference this issue in the "Related Issues" section of the PR body as resolves #<ISSUE_NUMBER>. Make sure to replace <ISSUE_NUMBER> with the actual issue number.

Step-by-Step Guide

Fork the Repository: Start by forking the stdlib-js/stdlib repository to your GitHub account. This creates a copy of the repository that you can modify.
Clone the Repository: Clone the forked repository to your local machine using git clone. This downloads the code to your computer.
Create a Branch: Create a new branch for your changes using git checkout -b fix-linting-errors. This keeps your changes separate from the main codebase.
Investigate the Issue: Use the error details provided to identify the files and lines of code that are causing the linting errors. The error message indicates a dependency cycle, so you'll need to trace the dependencies to find the root cause.
Implement the Fix: Modify the code to resolve the linting errors. This might involve changing variable names, adjusting code formatting, or refactoring the code to avoid the problematic patterns.
Test Your Changes: Run the linter locally to ensure that your changes have fixed the errors. You can use the command make lint-javascript to run the linter.
Commit Your Changes: Commit your changes with a descriptive message using `git commit -m