We generate magic. Every day, in the simplest of ways, we create moments that are meaningful, that stay with us long after they have passed. Magic exists in the simplest of things - a smile, a kind word, a warm touch. It is in these moments that we generate the most powerful magic of all. Magic is not just the stuff of fairy tales and illusions; it is a force that exists within each and every one of us. We have the power to create magic in our own lives and in the lives of those around us.
Now that is not to say, that life is stress-free and void of obstacles when we have successfully tossed aside the limitations. But rather the obstacles I navigate are along the path that I am traveling out of sincere passion of where I want to go and what I wish to achieve. Previously the obstacles were more frustrating because I was trying to jam a square peg into a round hole, but that was because I was determined to view myself as a round peg. I finally realized I was a unique curved wooden dowel and not one standard size would fit me.
Previously the obstacles were more frustrating because I was trying to jam a square peg into a round hole, but that was because I was determined to view myself as a round peg. We create our own magic in a variety of ways, but one way that will not draw magic into our lives is living passively waiting for it to just manifest on its own.
We have the power to create magic in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. It is a power that comes from within, from our own thoughts, emotions, and actions. When we choose to see the beauty in the world around us, we create magic.
Kyle Shevlin
I recently did a code review for an aspiring developer and instructed them to "get rid of the 'magic values' in their code." It dawned on me that it might not have been obvious what I meant, so I figured I would take a few moments, and paragraphs, to explain.
A "magic value" is a string or number used in a program that is essential to its proper function but provides no context or explanation for why it is what it is. The best explanation is that it "magically" works.
We know that there is no magic in programming, and so we should do our best to remove "magic" from our code so that future you or others understand what we write today more clearly.
Here are some common "magic values" I save as variables in my code.
Time related numbers
Let's say we are comparing two Date s and we want to see if they are within three days of each other. We could do:
function isWithinThreeDays(date1, date2) const difference = Math.abs(date1 - date2) return difference 259200000 >Now, you might be clever enough to figure out that 259200000 is the number of milliseconds in three days, but I doubt you would figure it out with a quick glance. Better is:
const DAY_IN_MS = 1000 * 60 * 60 * 24 function isWithinThreeDays(date1, date2) const difference = Math.abs(date1 - date2) return difference DAY_IN_MS * 3 >Now our number isn't so "magic" anymore. It's a lot easier to understand that we're comparing difference with three days worth of milliseconds.
localStorage keys
If I ever have to store something in localStorage for an app, I make sure to turn my storage key into a constant variable. This way I have a single string declared, but a variable I can use over and over and over and know with certainty it will be correct. No typos possible.
const STORAGE_KEY = 'kyleshevlin:theme' const currentTheme = localStorage.getItem(STORAGE_KEY) const updateTheme = theme => localStorage.setItem(STORAGE_KEY, theme)Regexes
Assuming you are a human, you probably can't read complicated regexes with full comprehension at a glance. Better to give your patterns a really good variable name and use that in your program. Would you rather have:
function isValidEmail(email) return /^(([^<>()[\]\\.,;:\s@"]+(\.[^<>()[\]\\.,;:\s@"]+)*)|(".+"))@((\[[0-9]\.[0-9]\.[0-9]\.[0-9]\])|(([a-zA-Z\-0-9]+\.)+[a-zA-Z]))$/.test( email.toLowerCase() ) >// You can even go the extra mile and leave a comment about the pattern // or the URL where you found it: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/46155/how-to-validate-an-email-address-in-javascript const VALID_EMAIL_PATTERN = /^(([^<>()[\]\\.,;:\s@"]+(\.[^<>()[\]\\.,;:\s@"]+)*)|(".+"))@((\[[0-9]\.[0-9]\.[0-9]\.[0-9]\])|(([a-zA-Z\-0-9]+\.)+[a-zA-Z]))$/ function isValidEmail(email) return VALID_EMAIL_PATTERN.test(email.toLowerCase()) >Summary
Avoid "magic values" in your code. Don't be afraid to pull strings, numbers and more out and give them some context with a great name. It'll prevent bugs in your code from typos, and make your programs easier to understand in the future.
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When we choose to be kind and compassionate to others, we create magic. When we choose to pursue our passions and follow our dreams, we create magic. These simple acts can have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of others. Magic is not something that is limited to a select few; it is for everyone. We all have the ability to tap into this power and create the kind of life we desire. It is up to us to recognize and embrace our own magic. It is up to us to choose to see the world through the lens of possibility, to believe in ourselves and our own abilities. In a world that can sometimes be chaotic and overwhelming, it is easy to forget the magic that exists within us. We become consumed with busy schedules, deadlines, and responsibilities. We lose sight of the extraordinary moments that make life worth living. But if we take a moment to pause, to breathe, to appreciate the small moments of beauty and wonder that surround us, we can tap into that magic once again. We can reconnect with our own power and create a life that is filled with joy, love, and fulfillment. So let us remember that we generate magic. Let us choose to see the beauty in the world, to be kind and compassionate to others, and to pursue our passions and dreams. Let us embrace the power that lies within us and create a life that is truly magical..
Reviews for "The History of Magic: From Ancient Times to Modern Practitioners"
1. John - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with "We Generate Magic". The concept sounded interesting, but the execution fell flat. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. The pacing was also off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. Overall, it lacked the magic and charm that I was expecting.
2. Sarah - 1 star: "We Generate Magic" was a complete letdown for me. The writing was overly descriptive, with unnecessary details that didn't add anything to the story. The plot felt predictable and cliché, and the dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic. I struggled to finish the book because it just didn't hold my interest. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this book, but it was a major disappointment.
3. Mark - 2 stars: I found "We Generate Magic" to be quite mediocre. The world-building was lacking and the magic system was poorly explained. The author didn't spend enough time developing the setting, leaving me feeling lost and detached from the story. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, it lacked the depth and coherence that I look for in a fantasy novel.
4. Emily - 3 stars: "We Generate Magic" had potential, but it failed to deliver for me. The story had an interesting premise, but it felt underdeveloped and rushed. The plot twists were predictable and didn't offer any real surprises. The writing style was also lacking, with awkward sentences and repetitive phrases. While it kept me entertained for a short while, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.