Small reminder for JavaScript development

Sometimes we need reminders about the basics. In reviewing some JavaScript code this morning I came across a function that builds some html on the fly by concatenating values together. What people have to remember is the smaller the JS file is the faster it will download. So rather than doing this:

scratch = scratch + "<a href....";

you need to use the built in += operator, thusly:

scratch += "<a href....";

The function in question had the first approach 12 times. Using the built in += operator I was able to reduce each statement by 9 characters. That reduces the function by 108 characters overall.

So the lesson is use built in functionality because little things can add up.