**W**alk down the memory lane and think, When did you last go to the office? Probably for the majority of us, the answer would be — ALMOST 20 months ago.



Yes, you read it right, more than 1.5 years now.



When the world went under **_[complete lockdown](https://habilelabs.io/blog/how-to-deal-with-the-lockdown-anger-and-frustration)_** in early 2020, life as we knew it, completely changed.



Never did we imagine that everyone would be locked inside their homes, business, corporates, institutions and everything else would be shut with only the essential services — that too for a specific time would remain open, of course with adhering to proper norms and protocols.


For corporates, especially in India, working from home, once a rare luxury, became the new normal.



Keeping the company shut down for some days and then figuring out how to retain work smoothly by letting workers be at home was a challenge for almost every company.



But it was also not easy for the employees, as well, to adapt to this new practice.

The biggest confusion for those who lived in cities away from their home was whether they should move back to their hometowns.



Of-course, who knew how long the lockdown would be for? From setting up an office at home to getting high-speed internet connections, nobody realized that they had become so comfortable with the whole [**“Work from Home”**](https://habilelabs.io/blog/future-of-work-is-work-from-home-going-to-be-the-new-normal) concept.



Now, as India has seen a significant decline in Coronavirus cases and an increase in vaccination doses, companies are planning to re-open their offices by the end of the year.



>The management is all set — from new interior to hardware repair, everything is ready, for making the workers feel comfortable at the office after the long work-cation.



However, the big question remains, ARE THE EMPLOYEES READY?



## Are the employees ready to work from the office?


![offices-re-opening – 1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/offices_re_opening_1_c3e10bfa04.jpg)


After working from home for almost two years now, everyone has woven a web of comfort and convenience around themselves.



Well, we all know, there are thousands of benefits of WFH like — living at our hometown with family, flexible working hours, comfortable clothes, spending time with kids, getting rid of the traffic, fresh hot lunch, attending all family gatherings and functions without worrying about the leaves and much more.



Relocating back to the big cities is a major impediment for those who saved on a lot of their expenses while stay at their own homes.

As a result, big corporations have introduced the concept of HYBRID WORKING, in which employees split their workdays between home and office. On certain days, they continue to work from home and depending on the necessity and requirement, they need to work from the office.



Companies reopening fully, however, will have to deal with a backlog of workers in the office because, as they say, habits don’t get away in a day. Do you also relate or agree to this?



There are so many questions, thoughts and mixed emotions that everyone who is about to join the office must be having, and it’s natural to be going through all of that right now. Well, but as we all know, change is the only constant and everyone has to go through that changing phase of moving back to the offices, once again.



All of this might be a lot to take in. Right? Because there are going to be new challenges, getting out of our comfort zones again and much more. But we all knew, and in reality too, remote working was just a temporary solution. We will be living in a whole new world, once again.



Let’s get set to go and make sure that we are able to live positively with the change, all over again, and that we all evolve with it.



Don’t forget to hit the claps if you liked the blog and stay tuned with us for more such blogs!✌

medium_offices-re-opening_feature.jpg

small_offices-re-opening_feature.jpg

thumbnail_offices-re-opening_feature.jpg

Offices Re-Opening — How Ready Are We?

**T**he term ‘Atomic Designs’ has, of course, been inspired by Chemistry, and it introduces a new methodology for creating modular design systems, scalable and reusable components, and systems.



Usually, a designer designs web pages, but Atomic Design is the foundation of designing systems of components.



As we enter the Atomic Design modules, here are the five stages that we need to understand first-



- Atoms
- Molecules
- Organisms
- Templates
- Pages



Moving down the list, the designs get more complex and advanced. So, when we come to pages, we have a fully designed web page.

## Atomic Design Methodology



Atomic design methodology is not exactly a linear step-by-step process, but a phenomenal understanding of UI elements in terms of small units (atoms) and their collection. It was introduced by [Brad Frost](https://medium.com/@brad_frost/about).



We have all read in chemistry that matter is composed of atoms. An atom is the smallest unit inside an element, and when 2 or more elements come together, they form a molecule.



So, how do you relate these chemical terms in Atomic Designs?



Let’s jump into the details -



- Atoms


![things-every-designer-should-know-about-atomic-design_1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/things_every_designer_should_know_about_atomic_design_1_37b19a2764.jpg)


An atom, as we understand from Chemistry, is the smallest unit of matter.



Here, atoms are the smallest and simplest meaningful elements of the user interface design, i.e. icons, labels, classes, buttons, inputs, etc. and when combined, they define functioning units, iconography and typography.




When you closely look at a page, you can easily break it down into several atoms. They are the most basic components of a design and can’t be split any further.




Left on their own, the atoms do not define a specific functionality and only when grouped together are able to depict the bigger picture.

### - Molecules


![things-every-designer-should-know-about-atomic-design_2.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/things_every_designer_should_know_about_atomic_design_2_5298e03c5e.jpg)


When two or more atoms bond together, they form a molecule. A molecule is therefore the most fundamental unit of the **_[UI design](https://www.habilelabs.io/ui-ux-designing)_** that adds functionality to the page.



Molecules are simple, reusable, functional, and portable components that define the context of atoms in user interfaces.



In simple words, molecules are atoms stitched together to define a singular functionality. For instance, the search navigation is a molecule that consists of these atoms — search icon, input field, a label, and search button.



### - Organisms



An organism is further a combination of two or more molecules joined together and a relatively complex UI component. Organisms add to the solid base of the design and provide more distinct functionalities to the interface.




The organisms collectively demonstrate the role of smaller units like atoms and molecules in the broader aspect of the design. They are standalone components that can function independently without relying upon any other components and can be called several times once built.




The end result of a molecule might not interest you, but organisms are the first sign that your design is beginning to take a spectacular shape and delivers a profound visual effect.


### - Templates



A template is a group of organisms combined. It is the concrete form of a layout of a page that sets standards for the page template which will remain the same even when you make changes in the content inserted there in terms of placement, size, font, etc.



Basically, it’s the stage just before your final page comes into action. Templates are what can be considered as the backend layout of the page before putting the content.

### - Pages



All components checked, and the representative content put in place — this is what the final page looks like!



A page is the final stage of the design. It is what the user sees and experiences in the end. Here you see everything at once. All data, images and components are placed together to form a design that meets your goals and defines the purpose of your website.


## Benefits of Atomic Designs



The Atomic Design methodology is a smarter way for creating intuitive web designs, interfaces and systems when compared with the conventional designing process. Though it needs more thinking and creativity, the smooth process afterward and the end results you get are worth it.




Let’s get a quick look at the benefits of using atomic designs while building your website -



### - Easy to re-use



While breaking down complex design components into basic units, it becomes very easy to reuse them. You have the whole lists of atoms, molecules and organisms, and you can just put them whenever and wherever required.



It becomes super easy to determine where to use them in the site, and you can just mix and match them in different ways to create diverse components. It comes in handy when you need to navigate between components and UIs.



### - Faster prototyping and updating



With atomic designs, you need to incorporate all your atoms and molecules inside the style guide before start designing your website. Once it’s done, you can easily mock up the pages, as all you have to do is to pick and drop these elements from your list and use them wherever required.



All the efforts are needed during defining the atoms and molecules and afterward, it becomes a piece of cake.



If you have some updating to do, you do not have to go through the entire site for small changes, instead, you need to find only those atoms which need updating. This helps you quickly update atoms throughout all pages, as once you update certain components in your list, the changes are carried out across all similar instances.

### - Code consistency and reusability



These automatically designed pages are far easier to code than those created with conventional **_[design methods](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/universal-designs-theres-more-to-ui-ux-than-you-know)_**. Once you define the atom and molecule elements, you can reuse the same code for every element across all pages. This way, you can easily see and identify what this particular code means, and where and why to use it.



This leaves so much space for consistency and the code, thus, delivered is easier to read and systematic.



### - Diverse options for customization



You have a long list of atoms, molecules and organisms inside your style guide, which leaves you with many options already. And if you want other elements, you can just customize the existing elements to get the results you desire.



There is no need to waste your time creating new atoms for the same instance, so, you can just tweak through the already available elements and create newer atoms out of those.



Think about all the possible elements you can create this way!!



## Summing up-



The Atomic Designs are more of a mental understanding of design elements on a cohesive level. It enables you to infuse your abstract ideas on-screen in real-time.



It lays out a clear architecture that helps team members and clients to actually see every step of the designing process. Especially when it comes to building complex design systems, the Atomic Design principles can ease the workflow to a great extent.



Want to know more about atomic designs? Check the link [here](https://atomicdesign.bradfrost.com/).


Thank you folks for reading this blog! Hope you liked it and if you did, let us hear the sound of your claps 😉.

Things every designer should know about Atomic Design

medium_things-every-designer-should-know-about-atomic-design.jpg

small_things-every-designer-should-know-about-atomic-design.jpg

thumbnail_things-every-designer-should-know-about-atomic-design.jpg

**O**ur desire to excel professionally can sometimes push us to set aside our own well-being.




Creating a harmonious work-life balance or work-life integration is critical, not only to maintain a proper physical, emotional and mental balance but also to have a life outside work too whilst ensuring that we build an amazing career. It is not an easy task to achieve work-life balance in today’s unpredictable and fast-paced business world.




Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is not only important for health and relationships, but it can also improve your employee’s **_[productivity](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/mastering-the-essence-of-productivity)_**, and ultimately performance.



Businesses that encourage work-life balance have become very attractive — especially when you consider how difficult it can be to attract and retain young employees these days.

When you create a schedule for yourself, think about the best ways to achieve balance.



There are many ways to do this –



- Set your daily goals
- Prioritize your tasks properly
- Take short gaps, but also ensure that those gaps do not fill you with lethargy for the rest of the day
- Estimate the time that would be required to complete those set tasks for the day
- Always keep sometime in hand for sudden or urgent tasks that come your way out of nowhere, maybe.



In short, having that state of equilibrium where a person equally prioritizes the demands of one’s career and personal life is what we call an ideal work-life balance.




## Why maintaining work-life balance is important?



Some people put their everything to get all their work done while sacrificing their personal lives. We really want them to read this blog to understand why that’s not the best thing to do-



### – More Mindfulness



“Wouldn’t everyone prefer a team that is fully focused on whatever they are doing, instead of juggling between many things in their minds? ”



If you find and sustain a healthy work-life balance, you will be able to develop a greater control over your focus and ability to concentrate on the task at hand- this is known as mindfulness.



By encouraging yourself to manage between work and personal life, you will improve your efficiency, which in turn leads to the company’s growth.

### – Lesser Burnouts



It is absolutely fine if you get stressed sometimes. However, to avoid workplace burnouts, you should try to ensure the same doesn’t happen to your team.



The inability to separate work from home will massively increase the chance of burnout, so it is important to encourage your team to take time off and “leave work at work.”



Make sure you never mix your professional life with your personal life- Trust me, it will only lead to undue stress and issues that are endless.



### – Fewer Health Problems



Isn’t it natural that you will eventually lose on your health when you do not maintain a proper work-life balance?



Well, when we are stressed and over-worked, we run the risk of jeopardizing more than just our social lives- our physical and mental health is in danger too.




A poor work-life balance can lead to a variety of symptoms that can affect your wellbeing.



We are sure that these reasons are an eye-opener for those who miserably fail to maintain their work-life balance.



## 6 quick tips to maintain a healthy work-life balance


![work-or-life – 1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/work_or_life_1_7c36e3c5d7.jpg)


Now that we know why it is important to have a healthy work-life balance, let’s explore how you can ensure you maintain one-

### 1. Encourage time off



Sometimes a break from everything is what one needs. After all, we are not robots or machines that who can tirelessly work 24*7, right?



Most often our minds are indulged in many things at once, and that’s exactly when you need some time off. A break from it all will provide you with the chance to switch off and enjoy yourself, it is also a great opportunity to recuperate and recharge.

### 2. Short breaks throughout the day



If taking time off for a long duration is not an option, then it is very important to [take small breaks](https://habilelabs.io/blog/how-small-distractions-can-actually-boost-your-efficiency-at-the-workplace) throughout the day.



To combat all the inconvenience that our body goes throughout the day from staring at bright screen for hours, we should come up with the ideas where you can socialize and take your minds off work.



Corporate lunches, walking meetings outside the office, light exercises, rule of 20, coffee meetings, meditation, etc. are some of the healthy **_[habits](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/top-habits-to-abstain-from-at-workplace)_** that companies can introduce in their work culture.



### 3. Ask for guidance



>“Helping others will always help you in turn.”




Don’t strive for everything that is perfect i.e. perfect schedule, perfect employees, perfect projects, or perfect environment, rather strive for realistic one.



Sometimes it is okay to take help, to show your flaws, to take guidance or to say that you need training on something before you give your best shot.




If you notice yourself and others struggling to find balance, then find out what changes you / they think would improve their situation. By collaborating, you will be able to get more of an insight into the way they think, and will be able to work together on strategies more effectively in the future.



### 4. Prioritize your health



There is absolutely nothing above and beyond your health.



If your health is not in the best shape, nothing else will work in your favor. And by health, it’s not just your physical health that we are talking about, but also emotional and mental health should be your real concerns.



If you struggle with anxiety and depression and think therapy would benefit you, fit those sessions into your schedule, even if you have to change or adjust your schedule.



“Prioritising your health first and foremost will make you a better employee and person.”

### 5. Make time for yourself and your loved ones



There’s a saying, **"Make work a part of your life, but never make work your whole life”**.



Well, how many of you can introspect deep and relate to this? We are sure, many of you would.



While your job is important, it shouldn’t be your entire life, you should prioritize the activities or hobbies that make you happy, outside work.



If you do not firmly plan for personal time, you will never have time to do other things outside of work. No matter how hectic your schedule might be, you ultimately have control of your time and life.



### 6. Set boundaries and work hours


Set boundaries for yourself to avoid burnouts.



When you leave the office, avoid thinking about anything else, avoid thinking about upcoming projects or answering company emails.



Always keep in mind — “Whether you work away from home or at home, it is very important to determine when you will work and when you will stop working otherwise, you might find yourself answering work-related emails late at night, during vacations or on weekends off.”



## Sum up-


Those who do maintain a successful balance often point to their flexible work schedules. Flexibility can pay off for employers in the long run. As we look ahead, it is clear that in order to remain competitive, employers must find ways to offer flexible work options if they want to attract and retain top talent.



Maintaining work-life balance is not just about the employees, it is also about the employer. Companies need to ensure that all the employees are getting the break they need, are in the best of their health, and are not pushed too hard in any way that leads to destroying their personal lives.



Your employees follow your lead, so it is very important for you to set a good example — stay at the forefront to implement modern work-life balance trends.

Work or Life – Are you also juggling between the two? 

medium_work-or-life.jpg

small_work-or-life.jpg

thumbnail_work-or-life.jpg

Work or Life- Are you also juggling between the two?

**Hi** all, I am a software engineer. I am working in the IT industry as a Python developer for more than 3 years and have worked on many projects in **_[Python](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/best-python-libraries-for-data-science)_** and **_[Django](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/django-best-framework-for-web-development-in-python)_**.



I want to share few points which will make you a better Python developer and help you to get a better opportunity.



If you are someone who is familiar with coding, then the concept of coding standards is nothing new to you. You may be a strong supporter of these guidelines or a freedom fighter who believe that code is a form of expression.



Whatever the case may be, it doesn’t hurt to look at some of the best practices when it comes to write a good piece of code.

So let’s jump into the topic-



## - Always follow PEP8 conventions



As a good Python developer, you should follow coding guidelines and PEP 8 is for you to write better Python code. PEP stands for Python Enhancement Proposal. This is a kind of document that provides coding guidelines and best practices for C implementation of Python. This document was adapted from Guido’s original Python Style Guide essay, with some additions from Barry’s style guide.



- It will improve code readability, so other developers can understand your code easily, and it’ll also save a lot of time while debugging because more readability means easy to understand.
- Following PEP 8 is particularly important if you’re looking for a development job. Writing clear and readable code shows professionalism.



[PEP8](https://www.python.org/dev/peps/pep-0008/) includes naming conventions for variables, functions, classes and packages. Code Layouts like vertical whitespace or blank lines between classes, one line space between functions, maximum line length or line break, indentation and many more. You can also use the extension with your IDE which can save your time.


## - Always write docstring


A docstring is the first statement that occurs in every module, class and function. Basically, it is a string representation of your code to explain what it’ll do during execution.



It’ll improve your code readability and anyone can understand it by reading docstring without going deep down into logic.


#### Example:

![expert-python-developer_1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/expert_python_developer_1_c013a35753.jpg)


With docstring, anyone can understand the function and its input parameters and expected outputs. Your code editor/IDE will also show docstring while you hover on a function.

## - Always Use Linters


Lint is a small mistake that makes our code ugly like mistyped variables names, inconsistencies in style, forgetting a closing bracket, incorrect tabbing in Python, calling a function with the wrong number of arguments, the list goes on and on. Linters help to identify those problem areas.



Linters analyze code to detect various categories of lint. I am using for Logical and Stylistic lints like code errors, unintended code and convention errors for optionally enforced static types checks.



## - Python Type annotations


Most programming languages include some kind of type system that allows developers to define types when writing code, but we all know Python is a dynamically typed language. This means that the Python interpreter checks types at runtime, and we can also change variable type over its lifetime.



In Python, we can also use type hints. It’s just providing hints to your IDE’s/Linters. It’s not giving a variable to a static type. I recommend you to use this because it’ll make your code more readable and anyone can easily understand. It’ll also save you time because your IDE/Linter will show you an error before running the code.



Example: Here is an example of a function that will give you an error at runtime.


![expert-python-developer_2.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/expert_python_developer_2_34f933c1bc.jpg)


As you can see, IDE is not showing an error. Now let’s use type hints with the same example-


![expert-python-developer_3.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/expert_python_developer_3_7387159cb0.jpg)


You can see VSCode gives us an error before running the code. Check more [here](https://docs.python.org/3/library/typing.html) for Python typing.

## - Write proper test cases



We have two ways for testing our code to check whether it’s working as expected or not-


![expert-python-developer_4.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/expert_python_developer_4_389460192f.jpg)


### Manual testing



Suppose we’re developing a project which has thousands of functions, classes and a lot of features. Now every time you add a new feature or change existing code, you need to test every part of your code that it is still working. For this, we need to make a list of features, different types of inputs and expected outputs, then test one by one. This approach will take more time than **_[development](https://www.habilelabs.io/custom-application-development)_**, which is not advisable.



### Automated testing



To overcome the above problem we can use automated testing. For this, I always use unit testing. Unit testing means you’re writing test cases that will test every unit of your project with possible inputs and expected outputs. After this, you can run tests by just one single command, and it’ll test all your code.



#### Example-


![expert-python-developer_5.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/expert_python_developer_5_04cd5a48fe.jpg)

## - Use Pre-commit hooks


You can understand by the name pre-commit that it’s the kind of hook that will run before commit. As a developer, everyone uses Version Control System. So if you want to use all or any of the best practices mentioned above, you should try pre-commit hook.



It’ll check your code according to installed hooks and enforce best practices. This saves you from accidental commits of code that is not following conventions.


![expert-python-developer_6.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/expert_python_developer_6_388b9f50c2.jpg)


## Conclusion



Coding standards help to develop less-complex software programs, thereby reduce the potential errors. If the coding standards are followed, the code is consistent and can be easily maintained. This is because anyone can understand it, can modify it and scale it at any point in time.



In short-



- Write comments and documentation
- Write readable yet efficient **code**
- Use helper **methods**, If avoidable, **do** NOT hard-**code!**,
- Write test cases.


Happy coding!!

What makes you an expert Python developer?

medium_expert-python-developer_feature.jpg

small_expert-python-developer_feature.jpg

thumbnail_expert-python-developer_feature.jpg

**A**picture is worth 1000 phrases, and images are a vital a part of the online platforms to connect with the users. Defining them in their maximum fundamental shape and finishing with the standard element is straightforward:

Ordinarily, we embed the source image, photo.jpg, into a web page, assuming the photo is inside the equal listing because of the HTML web page.



You may — and you have to — cross in addition to this canonical form of image definition with the aid of including an alternative textual content (alt) that describes if the image cannot be loaded on the alt render on browser:


```
<img src="image.jpg alt="describe the image here"/>
```

But with images on the web, the fact that the web advanced, so did the need for image optimization, whether it’s for person or developer stories.



To make sure that we serve the users with the greatest photo available, it is important to address the elements like photograph length, internet formats, and responsiveness.



Fixing for the users’ needs is practicable through the _<img>_ element's plethora of APIs for optimization, but they can emerge unwieldy to unpack. This is where automated photo optimization can benefit developers.



## Next.js 10 Brings a New Automated Image Optimization Feature



Frameworks like **_[Next.js](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/next-js-is-here-whats-new)_** introduce to resolve most common, complex tasks, mundane, and like routing, internalization, and photograph optimization.



According to the team, Next.js intends to improve two things: developer and person experiences. And even as most of the optimization makes a specialty of reducing the amount of JavaScript shipped to customers, there are other components like pics that need optimization as well.



Next.js 10 welcomed a photograph optimization API, _next/image_, as a canonical shape for native automated photo optimization, impart built integrated 5 bless built integrated.



- **Improved user experience:** With optimized pictures having lazy loaded, by default, users can assume an overall performance enhancement in website load time, in the long run improving the general user experience.
- **Good developer experience:** With Next picture’s simple-to-use **_[API](https://www.habilelabs.io/api-development)_**, developers have a progressed experience themselves with the capacity to outline a basic photograph, tweak it to their heart’s content material, or delve into superior configuration alternatives like caching and loaders.
- **Unaffected build times:** Construct instances aren’t increased as a facet-impact of optimization because Next.js optimizes images on-demand as users request them, in place of at construct-time.
- **Modern image techniques and formats:** Images are lazy-loaded by default and may be served in model formats like WebP in supported browsers.
- **Future-proof:** Next.js also can mechanically adopt destiny image formats and serve them to browsers that help those formats.

## Using the next/image API


The next/photo API is the candy spot of photograph optimization in next.js. It exposes an ‘Error! Filename not specified’ component as a conventional unmarred-supply of truth, this indicates you to discover ways to use one API to deal with picture optimization in [Next.js](https://habilelabs.io/blog/explore-new-features-with-latest-next-js).



In its maximum fundamental form, the issue ‘Error! Filename is not specified’ is fundamentally just like the HTML <img> detail because they both be given a src and alt characteristic/property:


![next-js-automatic-image_1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_1_69c34ee832.jpg)


The functionality of the <Image/> component can extend with a number of props available in it. Let's take a look at them-



### - src prop



The src is the single source of truth for the <Image/> component. It must be one of the following, when used with the image:



1. A course string as an inner route, just like the code snippet above, depending on the loader.
2. A route string as an absolute outside URL with area options set in next.config.js
3. A statically imported image file



In this case, we will import a static image file:


![next-js-automatic-image_2.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_2_b3fad73b1d.jpg)

### - Width and height props



We measure the width of a photo in pixels, except for statically imported photos or images having prop format to fill:


![next-js-automatic-image_3.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_3_8701955e86.jpg)


### - Loader prop



The loader prop is a custom function that resolves URLs. Given the quality, width, and src parameters, it will return a URL string-


![next-js-automatic-image_4.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_4_23642be9c2.jpg)


### - Sizes prop


The sizes prop specifies the size attribute of HTML img element.


![next-js-automatic-image_5.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_5_30fde6b7b0.jpg)


Above code shows that if the viewport is less than 500px, use 1000px width for source. With the <Image/> component, you can specify the sizes like the following-


![next-js-automatic-image_6.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_6_9d3f972c5f.jpg)



Do not forget to define sizes simplest when the usage of a responsive or fill layout.

### - Quality prop



The quality prop provides an integer range between 1 and 100 which defines the quality of the optimized image; 1 being the worst quality and one hundred being the best quality.



It defaults to 75:


![next-js-automatic-image_7.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_7_b5a832f605.jpg)


### - Priority prop



Images are not prioritized by default (due to the fact they are lazy-loaded), which means priority defaults to false. When priority is true, then image is considered high-priority and preloaded.



This need to only be used when the photo is visible above the fold-


![next-js-automatic-image_8.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_8_13444ab5d2.jpg)



### - Layout prop



The layout prop controls the layout behavior of the image according to size of the viewport changes. The value received is a string of intrinsic, fixed, responsive, or fill.



Each building value has its own nuances in:



1. The generated srcSet and sizes
2. Expected display or position value on the parent element for the corresponding <Image/> element on which they're used
3. Sometimes must pair with other props for proper behavior



### - Placeholder prop



When the image loads, the placeholder is used as a fallback image. The possible values for it are blur or empty.



Its default value is empty, that indicates no placeholder while the image is loading, only empty space.



However, when used blur, the _blurDataURL_ property acts as the placeholder. It automatically populates when static import with the MIME-type, i.e., png, jpg, WebP, and _blurDataURL_.

### - ObjectFit prop



The objectFit prop is like an [object-fit CSS property](https://blog.logrocket.com/cropping-images-css-in-depth/#using-object-fit-object-position) that determines how large an image should be in size to fit its container. It is used with layout=fill or an image with define width and height and its possible values are- cover, fill, none, and scale-down-



![next-js-automatic-image_9.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_9_61cca930da.jpg)



### - ObjectPosition prop



The objectPosition prop is like object-position CSS property that defines the position of an image in its container. This prop is used with layout=fill or an image with width and height and also with position value-


![next-js-automatic-image_10.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_10_43c9a4d8b2.jpg)

### - loading prop




The loading prop is like to the HTML img element's loading attribute which are used for lazy loading. The likely value is a string of lazy or eager:



![next-js-automatic-image_11.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_11_b342effd66.jpg)



### - onLoadingComplete prop



The onLoadingComplete prop is a callback function that executes immediately after the image completely loads and the placeholder is removed:



![next-js-automatic-image_12.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_12_c2b01efda3.jpg)

### - blurDataURL prop




In others words, _blurDataURL_ prop is a placeholder image and one must remember that it will be a base64-encoded data URL image that only works when used in combination with placeholder="blur":


![next-js-automatic-image_13.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_13_cd9d65357c.jpg)



When images imported statically, it will be automatically provided. When import dynamic or remote images, you should provide width, height, and blurDataURL manually.



### - lazyBoundary prop



The lazyBoundary prop acts as the marginal threshold for detecting intersections before triggering lazy loading. It defaults to 200px.



### - unoptimized prop




The unoptimized prop, when true, acts as a replacement for changing quality, size, or format-



![next-js-automatic-image_14.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/next_js_automatic_image_14_92a563a44e.jpg)

## Caveat with other properties



In addition to the properties listed above, other properties passed to the <Image/> component will transfer to the basic img object other than the following:



- Decoding is always “async”
- Use onLoadingComplete for ref
- For srcSet, use deviceSizes instead
- Use className for style



## Conclusion



Image functionality in Next.js enhances the user experience with a traditional game-changing and easy-to-use and flexible API. This unintentionally solves the great need for Core Web Vitals and helps websites gain higher **_[SEO](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/complete-seo-guide-for-web-developers)_** rankings, all starting and ending next/image.



Thanks for reading!



Need help with your project? We have JavaScript experts [here](https://www.habilelabs.io/) to assist you exclusively!

Next.js Automatic Image Optimization with next/image Component

medium_next-js-automatic-image_feature.jpg

small_next-js-automatic-image_feature.jpg

thumbnail_next-js-automatic-image_feature.jpg

The world is not kind to modern self-esteem. It only takes one ill remark to completely derail your day. However, it is up to you in terms of how you take it and construct it into your definition of success.



All our life we go through criticism and receive many feedbacks with regard to improving what we say, what we do or the things that we lack in.



It takes a lot as an individual to convince yourself that you’re no less than anybody else out there, that you also possess qualities and better approaches. So then, how do we avoid letting people downgrade us or hitting a stone to our self-worth?



Is it easy ? No!



Can it get better ? Yes!

But how do we use it to get better? Come, let’s take a look-



## Feedback vs Criticism



Before moving on to how to withstand criticism and handle it well, we need to first understand the difference between the two too similar terms — criticism and feedback!



Let’s get going then-


![criticism-and-feedback_1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/criticism_and_feedback_1_9b4462a8be.jpg)


According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, criticism is “the act of criticizing, usually unfavorably.”



It’s an act of pointing out all the mistakes that a person have made rather than focusing on his positive attributes and all the things he did good. Your attitude and behavior while criticizing someone are focused on the past confrontations and mistakes only.




On the other hand, feedback is”Information about reactions to a product, a person’s performance of a task, which is wholly used as a basis for improvement.” Instead of focusing on weaknesses, feedback provides an opportunity to help correct problematic areas while building up the person’s strengths.

## How to handle criticism and negative feedback?



So, there are a lot of situations in which our initial reaction is to get defensive and angry or even worse- verbally attacking the person giving feedback.
But the truth is that we need to get over it.


![criticism-and-feedback_2.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/criticism_and_feedback_2_c0ef8df61c.jpg)


We need to understand the value of constructive feedback and constructive criticism, which helps us to maintain our professional relationships.



In these kinds of situations, we may take inspiration from Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man of Arena” speech, a lesson on ignoring castigators. However, faultfinders are also essential **_[components](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/what-are-component-lifecycle-methods-in-react-js)_** of our growth. Both personal and professional success depends on how we take criticism in our stride.



It is very important to maintain the ability to hear and truly listen to people’s opinions, even when they are negative sometimes or maybe most of the time.



A 2018 research article evaluated constructive criticism models using focus group interviews with undergraduate students. This process identified three important requirements for negative feedback to be constructive.



- **Compassionate one:** When the vibe of the statement indicates care for recipient
- **Specific one:** Criticism should target the appropriate elements of the recipient’s performance
- **Matched one:** Criticism should align with recipient’s emotions and motivation
By this way we can determine if a critic is trying to help or harm us.



Criticism in the workplace doesn’t really go over too well. The things we might criticize people for in the workplace are either too vague or probably too heavy to deal with. And we have all been there, haven’t we?



Either when your boss shares something negative or a co-worker delivers a withering critique of a presentation that you worked on for months. Well, all of this can cause distress to any individual, and it is very important to understand and implement the right ways of taking feedbacks and criticism.

Here are three healthy ways to deal with criticism at work-



### - Be open!



The first step in benefiting from criticism at work is to BE OPEN to it. Actively listen to what is being said and take time to absorb the information without jumping to any conclusion whatsoever.


Be aware of your body language. Reduce your stress level and give your emotions a chance to settle down before you respond. Dealing with criticism at work can be challenging, and open & relaxed body language will make you feel less defensive and will save you from future negative image.



### - Ask questions to clarify!


Once you understand the feedback, always ask questions. Always remember it’s a two-way conversation, and it is up to you to take control of the decision.
Like many things, there is no by-the-book method of giving criticism.



While a good IQ can get you into your dream school or dream job, you need emotional intelligence to help you manage the stress and obstacles that come along the way.



At an unconscious level, our brain are constantly deciphering if the current situation is safe or dangerous; some psychologists refer to this as the risk/reward model.




So, when feedback is poorly delivered and risk is detected, the human brain is activated in the same areas as when we go without food or water. What’s more important is to turn these tough conversations into a situation where employees can feel safe in.
Restate the statement to confirm you are both on the same page. This will give you more time to process it and ensure that you understood it correctly.

Although there isn’t much difference in criticism and feedback because criticism given with a positive and encouraging tone is feedback. So all we have to understand are the benchmark and basic points as to how we can present are thoughts on someone else’s work.



All we have to concentrate on how we can nurture a culture of feedback in the workplace. If you’re especially sensitive to receiving criticism, you may want to determine WHY. It may just be a matter of adjusting your inner dialogue to combat a lack of self-confidence or perceived inadequacies.



You should also consider the source of the comments. Is it someone whose opinion you respect? Are they interested in helping you develop, or are they merely putting you down? Either way, you should try to remain calm, focus on the facts, and move on.



## You know!!



Constructive feedback and Constructive Criticism are the cornerstones of a well-rounded employee-manager relationship or any relationship at your workplace.



It is very important to remember that learning and development is ongoing for all of us, and feedbacks are not easy to give, and it’s certainly not easy to receive, but it’ll help us now and in the long run too.

medium_criticism-and-feedback_feature.jpg

small_criticism-and-feedback_feature.jpg

thumbnail_criticism-and-feedback_feature.jpg

Criticism and Feedback — Boon or Bane?

**T**est automation is an important part of the software development process as it runs multiple automatic tests on the code to find bugs, without needing any manual efforts, which leads to saving a lot of time and effort during development.



Gone are the days when the testers had to do even the simplest task of software testing on their own.



Not that **_[manual testing](https://habilelabs.io/blog/why-manual-testing-is-important-benefits-of-manual-testing)_** has lost its charm, since there’s the benefit of having several automated testing tools in the market now.



Not even at the slightest, in fact, it’s the opposite- now that we have all these tools at our disposal we can put our talented minds elsewhere on more complex tasks which only a human brain can accomplish.



Let’s not go deeper in that discussion and come right where we are now- **Jest**.



Jest is a testing tool for **_[JavaScript frameworks](https://www.habilelabs.io/custom-application-development)_**. Its job is to find bugs and errors in the JavaScript codebase.



But the question here is- out of so many automation tools available right now, why would one go for Jest? Why is it that the entire developers’ community is rolling all around it?

In this blog, we are going to get the answers to all these questions, so let’s get on the train to take a quick ride into it-



## Overview about Jest



Jest is a JavaScript testing framework and is widely used to test applications created with Vue.js, Babel, Angular, TypeScript, React, Node, and other JavaScript frameworks.




A wonderful fact about Jest is that it requires minimum efforts on the configuration part and is extendable, which enables you to match it with your requirements accordingly.


#### Let’s give you a brief look into the highlighting features of Jest that makes jesting so popular -



- **Zero-configuration:** Jest requires no-to-little configuration and works freely in JavaScript projects.
- **Parallel tests:** It enhances performance by running multiple isolated tests, in parallel, in their own processes.
- **Snapshots:** You can easily keep track of the complex projects by keeping snapshots of the ongoing process.
- **Great API:** Jest is a complete package and has everything all utility functions in one place, so you can start writing tests immediately. It is well-documented and well maintained.



## Getting Started with Jest-ing 👇



As the very first step, you would need to open the command window and initialize a sample project with this command-

It will create a default package.json file, which contains the following contents-


```
{
 "name": "Jest Testing",
 "version": "1.0.0",
 "description": "Let's create some tests with Jest",
 "main": "index.js",
 "scripts": {},
 "author": "Nuno Brites",
 "license": "MIT"
 }
```

Now that you have your project ready, let’s move forward to install Jest-


```
#Using yarn
yarn add --dev jest
#Using npm
npm install --save-dev jest
```

Now, let’s write a test for a sample function, it could be as simple as finding the sum of 2 numbers. For that, we need to create a sum.js file-


```
function sum(a, b) {
return a + b;
}
module.exports = sum;
```

Then, create another file name as sum.test.js which will contain the actual test as-


```
const sum = require('./sum');
test('adds 1 + 2 to equal 3', () => {
expect(sum(1, 2)).toBe(3);
});
```

Now, we need to configure the scripts element in the package.json file to run tests-


```
{
 "scripts": {
 "test": "jest"
 }
```

Jest will print the following output for this test-


```
PASS  ./sum.test.js
✓ adds 1 + 2 to equal 3 (5ms)
```

## Why choose Jest over other testing tools?


![testing-with-jest – 1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/testing_with_jest_1_01b79602ba.jpg)


The programming community is flooded with plenty of testing tools but when it comes to JavaScript testing, the three most popular tools come into the picture are, [Mocha](https://mochajs.org/), [Jest](https://jestjs.io/), and [Jasmine](https://jasmine.github.io/).



It is in popular opinion that Jasmine is recommended for Angular projects, Mocha for Node applications and Jest for React. However, they are compatible with all JavaScript libraries and frameworks.



Each of the three testing frameworks has its own set of pros, and it entirely depends upon project requirements as to which one you should choose for testing.



While choosing a testing framework, the focus mainly stands with simplicity, well-documented, easy adoption, and productivity. Jest has them all!



Jest is built on top of Jasmine and therefore carries all the key features of Jasmine with it, which is a huge benefit, considering that Jasmine has got all the good things.



Out of the three, Jest is preferred for its simplicity and easy-to-use features but other than that, it has got a long list of features that makes the developers fall in love with it!




I’m gonna mention some important ones over here-



### ✔ Simplicity at its peak



Easy-to-use tag can be used to define Jest as it is the simplest testing framework. It is very easy to learn, use, and practice.



It’s a battery included framework and has built-in features for common functionalities so you don’t have to add third-party plug-ins and external libraries.

### ✔ Lightening fast speed



With Jest, you can significantly reduce the test runtime to almost one thrice comparing how much it takes to run local tests on Mocha. Yes, Jest is maddeningly fast and the factors that contribute to augment its speed are-



- It runs multiple isolated tests in parallel that enhances the test performance.
- Jest is CPU-bound, which cuts short a significant time in test runs.
- It runs the slowest tests first to optimize the parallel running tests, which overall reduces the total test runtime.
- Jest has its own order to run tests and is not based on alphabetically or any other predefined standards. It picks the lacking tests and previously failed tests first.


### ✔ Snapshot testing



Snapshot testing is an amazing functionality of Jest where it captures snapshots of the code component at a specific time to track changes in the test case. This method is highly effective in validating data structures.



Basically, it creates detailed reports and stores snapshots of the output for future reference.

The functions you have run and the output received; it stores it all in a separate file so the next time you run the test again, it will compare the current output to the stored snapshot.



In case the snapshot shows any changes, which are visible in terms of the color diff, it means the test is failing. Easy-peasy!



You can also keep the newer snapshot if it’s fine according to you and the older one is outdated; all you have to do is to hit -u and it will upgrade the snapshot, overwriting it with the new one. This process is called upgrading.




You can also use the inline snapshot feature for small snapshots, which allows you to visually edit the code components, and you can see the changes updated in the browser only.

### ✔ Unit testing



Jest is preferred for unit testing, which is a software testing process where we outline and test the smallest units of the code that can be isolated. This unit can be any functional piece of code- a line, a class, etc.



The smaller the unit, the better and efficient are the test results. The unit tests are easy and cheap to write with Jest, and can be executed quickly.



### ✔ Easy and Out-of-box Mocking


Mocking is the literal term for creating [mock functions](https://jestjs.io/docs/mock-functions)- functions created to mock the original functions- to use in test code instead of executing the actual functions.



But why do we need to create mock functions? Why not just go with the original ones?



Well, here’s the thing- while testing the function calls, the test sometimes changes the state of the application unexpectedly or makes changes in the database, or leads to other unavoidable side effects that crawl through the tests, which is not preferable.



Hence, the mock function! By creating mock functions we can return relevant values, which will give the exact same results and that too, without causing any unwanted changes in the database or application.



Jest makes mocking easy by using a custom resolver for imports and enables you to use the mocked imports with mock function APIs to spy on function calls.



The mock function comes in handy especially in unit testing as they let you test the function logic without having to worry about its dependencies.


### ✔ Code coverage



Code coverage refers to the total code that was tested. Jest has this built-in feature of generating code coverage reports.



The more is code coverage, the more productive are the results. This coverage report so conveniently reveals which part of the codebase was not covered during testing.



Inside your file structure, you will see a directory named coverage. When you open it, you will see another directory containing lots and lots of files. However, you are looking for an index.html file and when you copy its path into the browser; you will be able to see exactly how much code has been tested and which lines are left open uncovered.



For business reasons, it is likely that you skip testing for certain parts of the code, however, it is always helpful to have a detailed report of the total test coverage of the project.

### ✔ Rich context for failed tests



Whenever a test fails, the developer quickly wants to identify the cause behind it so that he can look into the issue and resolve it.



One of the finest properties of Jest is that it provides complete details as to why and where the test failed.



When the test fails, Jest shows the complete stack trace to the error and where the test failed — it highlights the error part with syntax color difference, the code line where it went wrong, and will point an arrow towards the exact problem.



This is an amazing property that helps **_[increase productivity](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/mastering-the-essence-of-productivity)_**.


That’s not all! There are many more to talk about Jest, but I have covered all the important and basic things you should know about Jest before start using it. You can go deep into the details through the _[link](https://jestjs.io/docs/getting-started)_.



I’m hoping that you have noted all these amazing benefits of Jesting and are going to give it a try, if you haven’t already.



Thanks for reading this blog and happy jesting!😊🙌

Testing with Jest - Why choose Jest over other testing tools

medium_testing-with-jest_feature.jpg

small_testing-with-jest_feature.jpg

thumbnail_testing-with-jest_feature.jpg

Simplifying testing automation!

Testing with Jest- Why choose Jest over other testing tools?

**S**ocialization is the process of learning how to become part of a culture. It occurs when one interacts with other people.



It not only allows all individuals in a community to develop very similar values, norms and beliefs, but also prevents them from developing emotional or mental disabilities.



There can be a lot of ways to socialize; be it through mass media or face-to-face meeting, listening to or talking to someone or maybe just watching others as to how they carry themselves.



It is equally important that we learn how to socialize at the workplace. Although, the conversations that people have at work are not always about work. It is appropriate at certain times to socialize or talk to other people about non-work-related things too. That’s natural, isn’t it?



Considering the fact that we spend more time at workplace than we do at our home, it is really important to build good **_[relationships at work](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/top-habits-to-abstain-from-at-workplace)_** too.

## Art of socializing at work



Socializing at work not only helps in developing good bonds, but also means opening up about things that may be happening in everyday life, outside of work. This helps people get to know one another on a personal level.


![socializing-at-workplace_1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/socializing_at_workplace_1_ba7a14e320.jpg)


There are different levels or meanings of how to socialize at workplace. Let’s take a closer look at that-



### #Socializing with superiors



Many people find it hard to socialize with their manager or seniors or higher authorities and get nervous around them.



This gap in status or position at work may result in social misunderstanding, ego conflicts, or even makes the ice tougher to break.



This is why it’s needed to bridge the gap and keep the conversation going! All good organizations provide multiple channels to makes communication easier with the management authorities.



On the other hand, no matter how comfortable you are with your higher authorities, there should always be a thin line which should not be crossed at any cost.



You should always be respectful while talking to them. Using appropriate language, talking with dignity, keeping needed distance, not talking about topics that are offensive or inappropriate in any way, are some must to-do things while talking to your seniors.

### #Socializing with coworkers



Strong relationships enable the team collaboration to work better together. The studies reveal that people who **_[communicate](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/how-to-improve-your-communication-skills-effective-tips)_** well about nonwork matters are more likely to connect well on a professional level. They are more likely to bond as team partners, effective colleagues and help the company to achieve more.



But one should also keep in mind that no matter how comfortable you are with your colleagues, you should never cross the professional boundaries, never make hideous personal remarks, and certainly not hurt them in any way whether it is from your physical or verbal expressions.



### #Socializing with clients



**Now here comes the most critical, yet important part that we must all understand**. If your duty entails interacting frequently with clients or customers, then you should be able to talk on both business and non-business terms.



Of course, remembering that you are not supposed to be over-friendly, keeping in mind they are your clients, your important stakeholders.



Your clients should not feel like they are talking to someone who is high-handed or full of oneself, they should feel as if they are working with a real person.



You should be able to build trust and compatible relationship with your customer by getting to know them, getting to know what they like, what they dislike, why they chose you, how you can help them in proving the decision of choosing you right.

But, you should avoid asking too many personal questions, or speaking before them, or not giving them choices. Let them reveal their interests and concerns. This will translate the relationship between you and your client in a better experience.



Regardless of these points, there are so many other things which we need to keep in mind whilst socializing at workplace.



Any conversation that one makes, should be balanced and appropriate, knowing how they would feel if someone else said the same thing to them.



Socializing frequently can be an obstacle in between people and work. You can be a bad example for them. Socializing at wrong times can leave a negative impression on your work front as well as your personality front.



To save yourself from coming out at someone who is just being friendly all the time or trying to get too personal, adhere to certain timings that may be right for socializing, if needed:



- During lunch breaks
- Before a meeting starts
- Crossing paths in the corridors
- While helping a customer
- During team activities or events


The most important thing while socializing is to be friendly. It can happen that you are good with socializing people, but maybe your peer is not. Maybe he/she is an introvert and doesn’t like to be prodded or poked in the get-togethers often. So you should always keep in mind of the person or group you are socializing with.



Be observant if someone is interested or not, feeling left out or not, getting bored or not or if he/she is getting a chance of talking too.



## Be vocal about your emotions



**Another very important aspect is being VOCAL** with your emotions — your hand gestures, your body language or even with your eyes are as important as being communicational.



Listening to others and responding appropriately, always be sincere and honest about compliments, saying hello, and being positive also comes under the art of socialization.



It shows other that they matter, and their ideas are important.

## Takeaway



Don’t we all agree to the fact that being social at work has come a long way from just making small talks with your coworkers, to being a necessary skill to foster a **_[healthier environment to work](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/quick-tips-for-software-developers-to-stay-healthy)_**?



Just knowing when and how to socialize and doing it just the right way is what one needs to understand.



Because, as they say-



>“The key is finding the happy medium where employees are friendly, polite and supportive, but not entangled in each other’s lives.”

Socializing at Workplace - How to make yourself visible at work?

medium_socializing-at-workplace_feature.jpg

small_socializing-at-workplace_feature.jpg

thumbnail_socializing-at-workplace_feature.jpg

**A** lot of fairytale-type suggestions are going around on the internet these days that are too good to be true.



They say — choose your passion, turn it into your work, and then live happily ever after.



We all have gone through this thought at some point or the other if we should ‘LOVE WHAT WE DO’ or ‘DO WHAT WE LOVE’. Well, I’m pretty sure some of you must be still thinking about the same while reading this blog!



But to what extent is it practically true or possible?



As we grow older, certain circumstances and responsibilities restrain us from doing what we love, as sometimes we need to put others first before ourselves. And that is when we find ourselves doing something we never expected to do as a job.



However, the job you are doing now doesn’t have to be monotonous. It is your present, your reality, your life, and you need to make the most of it.



In this blog, we are going to talk about ways to love what you do. These are not some magical tips but some insights from a practical perspective of things!

## How to Love What You Do?



Loving what you do leaves room for a lot of self-growth, development and maturity. You get to understand the broader spectrum of things and after a while, you see that you have become a better person — wiser, more compassionate, more understanding and more realistic!


![the-art-of-loving-what-you-do_1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/the_art_of_loving_what_you_do_1_7fc2532cfb.jpg)



>“Making a living with your job is fine, but you also need to make a life out of it.”



Technically, you spend more time at your workplace than you do at home. So, whatever you do should certainly bring happiness and joy to your life, rather than draining your energy and causing unnecessary stress.



If you are really passionate about doing something and if you do it well, money would automatically flow in.



Although, there is no harm in opting for the other option too- which is starting to love what you have, if you cannot do what you really wanted to!



Here are a few tips that could help you stay enthusiastic at work-



### - Find passion in your job!



The best way to enjoy your job is to find passion in it. Try to find a factor at your job that drives you. You might be doing a boring job that you just want to complete your work hours and go home.



You can put limits on yourself that ‘_ I will finish this task within 2 hours only, and then I’ll get a coffee and hang around a little to freshen up ‘_. If you are _[working from home](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/effective-remote-working-performance-management-tips)_, then it’s even better.



You can always find ways to chill at home during the break after meeting this deadline.



Remind yourself each day — “WHATEVER I DO, I WILL DO IT IN THE BEST WAY”! Eventually you will start noticing that you are driving yourself to do better and with equal excitement and enthusiasm each day.



Gradually you will start being appreciated and recognized for all that you do and a little appreciation from anyone at workplace is all that we need at times, to get going and do better. Isn’t it?

### - What would you rather have- MONEY or PASSION?



A 9 to 5 job that pays you off handsomely, or a mystical journey to follow your passion that may or may not be able to pay your bills?



Sometimes what you wish to pursue might not bring in a lot of money, but if you can live that and keep up the hope that sooner or later you will be very successful in what you are doing, then WAY TO GO.



But as many people say, leaving a stable and comfortable life without having a full-proof backup plan in place is not a wise choice. In the end, it all depends on what you want to choose for yourself and for your life. Sometimes taking that risk is what people are afraid of, but what’s success without going through some hurdles in life.



### - Be grateful for what you have!



As long as you have work, a stable salary, and you get to pay all your bills smoothly, you don’t stop for a second to think how blessed you actually are.



You might have heard, ‘ ONE ALWAYS WANTS WHAT THEY CANNOT HAVE ‘. How true, right?



If you have never felt a bit of jealously seeing people do what you would have loved to do, you are lying either to yourself or to the people around.



But what you have is your story, your journey, and you should never compare it with that of others. You had your share of struggles and hard choices, and what you have now is your accomplishment.



Have gratitude for wherever you are, for whatever you do, and for all the rewards or recognitions that you may be receiving while living this journey.

### - Your work matters!



There might be days when you wouldn’t even feel like getting up and going to work. You may feel worthless sometimes, as if you are not doing anything meaningful in life.



Right in the middle of these thoughts, when you end up questioning yourself, try to take a moment and see that all you have done has definitely left an impact on someone out there.



What you do, not only impacts your personal or professional life, rather, it also leaves an impact on those around you.



Now, you may be wondering as to what it has to do with others? How does it impact others? If others are benefitting from what you do, per se, even if a single person gets inspired from your work, then it is all worth it. All that frustration, hard work, anxiety and boredom pays off!



This is why it is said — No matter how big or small your task is, do it with utmost perfection.


### - Be realistic!



Work and entertainment are two entirely different things. It is absolutely amazing if you are making a living by following your passion, but it may not always work that way.



It may be possible that what you think you would love to do become boring after a time, and you start berating it as well.



Work requires effort and exertion. The feeling of accomplishment after working hard for days or weeks to get the job done is irreplaceable and once you get the taste of it, you would be striving to taste it again! That is when you get a strong feeling that you have started loving what you do.




Being recognized doing what you love is an exclusive achievement, of course! Though, you should always be realistic about what you want to do, what you want to achieve out of it, what you want to be like in the coming years.




Setting up realistic **_[goals](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-goal-setting)_** for you is extremely important.

## Wrap Up



While most people are doing all sorts of jobs just to feed their family, they do not stop thinking about doing what they love as they just want to earn money to peacefully spend their lives. This is an absolute loop and coming out of it, is quite impossible to be honest.



Although, it is amazing to see how the newer generation is prioritizing living their dreams or passions over MONEY factor, even if it means breaking prejudiced opinions of society.



If you are one of those amazing people who want to follow their passion, no matter what, then, what are you waiting for? Just go for it.



The whole idea behind this blog was for those people who can’t do what they love and spend their lives sulking at their current job. As life is unpredictably short, you should not waste it sulking or grumbling and rather live and enjoy every moment of it however it turns out to be.



In the end, whatever you decide you do, just love that, be passionate about it, and it will bring in a lot of happiness and peace into your lives.

medium_the-art-of-loving-what-you-do.jpg

small_the-art-of-loving-what-you-do.jpg

thumbnail_the-art-of-loving-what-you-do.jpg

The Art of Loving What You Do

**L**ightening **_[web component](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/salesforce-decorators-in-lightning-web-components)_**(LWC) framework is helping JavaScript developers big time in creating good features and innovative user interfaces on Salesforce.

Recently, we had a requirement to make a feature to export an Excel document from LWC component. There were a few options through which I could even export a plain Excel document, but there was almost nothing, no support at all, for styling like colors, borders, alignment, wrap, border colors, etc.

This got me thinking how could technology fail in such a common arena, so I did some internal research and came out with a solution.

Let’s move further to discuss the solution at length-

## Integrating JavaScript Library with LWC


In precise words, I decided to use a JavaScript library [write-excel-file](https://www.npmjs.com/package/write-excel-file), which is available on npm. I integrated this library on Lightening Web Components and found out that it was throwing exception due to locker service.

### Let’s build an example based on Excel export-


Thereafter, I decided to customize the library [write-excel-fileto](https://www.npmjs.com/package/write-excel-file) make it compatible with LWC. You can download this version from here.

#### - First, download the [write-excel-file.min.js](https://gist.github.com/morwalz/55138b6cf6400589a14ad719e7382292)-

#### - Now, make a folder writeExcel in static resources and put the downloaded file [write-excel-file.min.js](https://gist.github.com/morwalz/55138b6cf6400589a14ad719e7382292) in it.


![salesforce-export-to-excel-with-lightning-web-component-1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/salesforce_export_to_excel_with_lightning_web_component_1_9618b8cbdf.jpg)

#### - Create lightening component excelJSDemo
Create a LWC with name excelJSDemo and add the following code to the excelJSDemo.js file.


```
import { LightningElement } from 'lwc';
import { loadScript } from "lightning/platformResourceLoader";
import workbook from "@salesforce/resourceUrl/excelDemo";
export default class ExcelJSDemo extends LightningElement {
    librariesLoaded = false;
    objectsData = [
        // Object #1
        {
            name: 'John Smith',
            dateOfBirth: new Date(),
            cost: 1800,
            paid: true
        },
        // Object #2
        {
            name: 'Alice Brown Alice Brown Alice Brown Alice Brown Alice Brown Alice Brown',
            dateOfBirth: new Date(),
            cost: 2600,
            paid: false
        }
    ]
    schemaObj = [
        // Column #1
        {
            column: 'Name',
            type: String,
            wrap: 'true',
            color: '#ccaaaa',
            value: student => student.name
        },
        // Column #2
        {
            column: 'Date of Birth',
            type: Date,
            format: 'mm/dd/yyyy',
            value: student => student.dateOfBirth
        },
        // Column #3
        {
            column: 'Cost',
            type: Number,
            format: '#,##0.00',
            value: student => student.cost
        },
        // Column #4
        {
            column: 'Paid',
            type: Boolean,
            value: student => student.paid
        }
    ]
    renderedCallback() {
        console.log("renderedCallback xlsx");
        if (this.librariesLoaded) return;
        this.librariesLoaded = true;
        loadScript(this, workbook + "/writeExcel/write-excel-file.min.js")
            .then(async (data) => {
                console.log("success------>>>", data);
            })
            .catch(error => {
                console.log("failure-------->>>>", error);
            });
    }
    // calling the download function from xlsxMain.js
    async download() {
        let _self = this;
        // When passing `objects` and `schema`.
        await writeXlsxFile(_self.objectsData, {
            schema: _self.schemaObj,
            fileName: 'file.xlsx'
        })
    }
}
```

#### - Update excelJSDemo.html to add a button to start download -


```
<template>
    <lightning-card title="Exceljs file export demo" icon-name="custom:custom14">
        <button onclick={download} class="btn success">Download</button>
    </lightning-card>
</template>
```


```
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<LightningComponentBundle xmlns="http://soap.sforce.com/2006/04/metadata" fqn="xlsxDemo">
    <apiVersion>46.0</apiVersion>
    <isExposed>true</isExposed>
    <targets>
        <target>lightning__AppPage</target>
        <target>lightning__RecordPage</target>
        <target>lightning__HomePage</target>
    </targets>
</LightningComponentBundle>
```

#### - Deploy and run your code

Now, you can deploy your code and drag this component to any layout you like. Once you add it to the layout, you will see a download button. I for one, added it as a tab to opportunity layout.

![salesforce-export-to-excel-with-lightning-web-component-2.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/salesforce_export_to_excel_with_lightning_web_component_2_c0ea97009b.jpg)

Once you click the download button, you will be able to download a beautiful Excel sheet with styles and formatting.

![salesforce-export-to-excel-with-lightning-web-component-3.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/salesforce_export_to_excel_with_lightning_web_component_3_e3688d22e0.jpg)

This library has many options for styling, [check this link to learn more](https://www.npmjs.com/package/write-excel-file).

Mainly, it supports the following styles-

- **align: string -** Horizontal alignment of cell content.
**Available values:** "left", "center", "right".

- **alignVertical: string -** Vertical alignment of cell content.
**Available values:** "top", "center", "bottom".

- **height: number -** Row height, in "points".
- **span: number -** Column span.


Even if a cell spans several columns, you still have to provide a value for every cell in every row and column.

- **rowSpan: number -** Row span.


Even if a cell spans several rows, you still have to provide a value for every cell in every row and column.

- **wrap: boolean -** Set to true to "wrap" text when it overflows the cell.
- **fontWeight: string -** Can be used to print text in bold.

**Available values:** "bold".

- **Color: string -** Cell text color (in Hexadecimal format).
**Example:** "#aabbcc".

- **backgroundColor: string -** Cell background color (in Hexadecimal format).
**Example:** "#aabbcc".

- **borderColor: string -** Cell border color.
**Example:** "#aabbcc".

- **borderStyle: string -** Cell border style.
**Example:** "thick".

- leftBorderColor
- leftBorderStyle
- rightBorderColor
- rightBorderStyle
- topBorderColor
- topBorderStyle
- bottomBorderColor
- bottomBorderStyle


That was all, folks! Hope this article was useful for you. Share your queries in the comment box and hit claps 👏 if you liked the blog.

Salesforce- Export to Excel with Lightning Web Component

medium_salesforce-export-to-excel-with-lightning-web-component.jpg

small_salesforce-export-to-excel-with-lightning-web-component.jpg

thumbnail_salesforce-export-to-excel-with-lightning-web-component.jpg

With color formatting, alignment and borders.

**N**ode.js 8 version released a new module called async_hooks. It provides an easy-to-use API to track the lifetime of async resources in Node.js applications.

It was introduced by the Node team in 2017 and is still in the experimental state.

The asynchronous resources mentioned here are the objects created by **_[Node.JS](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/best-practice-for-node-js-folder-structure)_** that have associated callback and can be called multiple times. Some examples of asynchronous resources are Timeouts, Promises, TCPWRAP, Immediates, etc.

We’ll learn more about Async hooks and their use cases in this blog. Let’s get going then-

## Why Do We Need Async Hooks?


Async resources are created by async process for example file read, database read operation, external API call. So naturally async resources keep track of callback which will be called once the process is completed. But, if we need to track the async resource like what is happening in the middle of an async resource execution, we don’t have any way to do that.


The typical lifecycle of such an async resource is similar to this:

![async-hooks-in-node-js-features-use-cases – 1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/async_hooks_in_node_js_features_use_cases_1_af4c2c13e7.jpg)

To solve this concern, Nodejs provided async hooks to spy on the lifecycle of async resources.

Enough talking, show me the code!


```
const fs = require('fs');
const { fd } = process.stdout;
const async_hooks = require('async_hooks')
function init(asyncId, type, triggerAsyncId, resource) {
    fs.writeSync(fd, `Init callback async id --> ${asyncId} \n`);
}
function destroy(asyncId) {
    fs.writeSync(fd, `Destroy callback async id -->${asyncId} \n`);
}
const asyncHook = async_hooks.createHook({ init: init, destroy: destroy });
asyncHook.enable();

setTimeout(()=>{
    //do nothing
}, 1000);
//output
/*
Init callback async id --> 4
Destroy callback async id -->4
*/
```

In the example above, we have setTimeout is making an async operation. We have created two async hooks init and destroy. When we execute the code, we can see that it is calling init first, and then callsdestroy function. You might be wondering why we are using fs.writeSync to print on console rather than using console.log.

Console.log is async function itself, so this will cause async hooks again, and will cause infinite recursion. So we can not use any async code inside async hooks. It will be discussed later on again in later in this article.

## Async Hooks APIs


Essentially, the async **_[hooks API](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/relay-hooks-facebook-released-improved-react-hooks-based-apis-for-relay)_** provides these five key event functions that are called during different time and instances of the resource’s lifecycle, to track the async resources.

![async-hooks-in-node-js-features-use-cases – 2.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/async_hooks_in_node_js_features_use_cases_2_04b98357e7.jpg)

You have to specify the event that you want to trigger out of the following while creating an instance.

All the callbacks are optional. Let’s make this statement a little more obvious- It means if the cleanup data of the resource is to be tracked, then you only need to pass the destroy callback.

### init


The init callback is called whenever a call is created that has the possibility of triggering an asynchronous event. Just for the record, at this point, we’ve already associated the hook with an async resource.

init callback receives these parameters when called-

- **asyncId:** Each async resource, when identified, is allotted with a unique ID.
- **type:** It depicts the type of the async resource in string form that triggered init callback.
- **triggerAsyncId:** asyncId of the resource for whose context the async resource was created. It shows why a specific resource was created.
- **resource:** It represents the reference to the async operation that is released during destroy.


All the other callbacks get only one parameter- asyncId.

### Before


Whenever an async operation initiates or completes, a callback notifies the user of its status. The before callback is called right before this mentioned callback is executed, and the relevant resource will be assigned with a unique asyncId identifier.

The before callback can be called any times from 0 to n. For instance, when the asynchronous operation gets cancelled, it will be called 0 times, on the other hand, the persistent type resources can call it multiple times.

### After


Similar to before, it is called post-execution of the relevant asynchronous resource or right after when the specified callback in before callback finishes its execution.

### Destroy


It’s quite easy to guess, isn’t it? Yes, you guessed it right!

It is called every time the asynchronous resource, corresponding to the unique asyncId, is destroyed regardless of whatever happened to its callback function.

However, in some cases, the resource depend upon the garbage collection for its cleanup which might cause a memory leak in the application, which results in avoid calling destroy. If the resource does not rely upon the garbage, then it won’t be a problem and destroy will do the cleaning.

### promiseResolve


This callback is triggered when the Promise gets its resolve function, which is invoked either directly or by some external means to resolve a promise.

![async-hooks-in-node-js-features-use-cases – 3.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/async_hooks_in_node_js_features_use_cases_3_3e302559fa.jpg)


## Use Cases of Async Hooks

Listed below are some major features and use cases of async hooks-

### - Promise Execution Tracking

Async hooks are preferably used to track the lifecycle of promises and their execution, as promises are also asynchronous resources.

Whenever a new promise is created, the init callback runs. The before and after hooks run pre- and post-completion of a PromiseReactionJob and the resolve hook is called when a promise is resolved.

### - Web Request Context Handling


This is another major use case of Async Hooks, where it stores relevant information in context to the request during its lifetime. This feature becomes highly useful to track the user’s behavior in a server.

With async hooks, you can easily store the context data and access it anywhere and anytime in the code.

The process starts with a new request to the server, which initiates calling createRequestContext function to get data to store in a Map. Every async operation initiated as part of this request will be saved in the Map along with the context data (Here init plays an important part).

Next, destroy keeps the size of the Map under control and do the cleaning. This is how you can get the current execution context by calling getContextData anytime.

### - Error Handling with Async Hooks


Whenever an async hook callback throws an error, the application follows the stack trace and exits due to an uncaught exception. Unless you run the application with-abort-on-uncaught-exception, which will print the stack trace exiting the application, the exit callbacks will still be called.

This error handling behavior is due to the fact that all these callbacks run at potentially unstable points, for instance during construction or destruction of a class. This process prevents any unintentional and potential abort to the process by closing it quickly.

### - Printing in Async Hooks


Printing is an asynchronous operation and console.log() triggers calling async callbacks. However, using such asynchronous operations inside async callbacks causes infinite recursion.

For instance, when init runs, the console.log() will trigger another init callback causing endless recursion and increasing stack size.

To avoid this, you should use a synchronous operation like fs.writeFileSync(file, msg, flag) while debugging as it will print to the file without invoking AsyncHooks recursively.

If the logging requires an asynchronous operation, you can track what caused the async operation to initiate using AsyncHooks. As it was logging itself that invoked the AsyncHooks callback, you can skip it which will break the infinite recursion cycle.

### - Enhanced Stack Traces


The creator of Node.js, Ryan Dahl, talked about debugging problems in node.js due to event loops, which kills the stack trace. As the async hooks facilitate better tracing of async resources, it allows developers to improve and enrich the stack trace.

## Bottom Line

Do you know that you can also measure the duration of an asynchronous operation in real-time? Yes you can, but by integrating Async hooks module with Performance API module.

Well, this was all about async hooks. I would suggest you to refer to the [link](https://nodejs.org/api/async_hooks.html) if you are interested to learn more about async hooks-ink-

If you liked this blog, don’t forget to hit the clap icon (multiple times 😉).

Async Hooks in Node.js- Features & Use Cases

medium_async-hooks-in-node-js-features-use-cases.jpg

small_async-hooks-in-node-js-features-use-cases.jpg

thumbnail_async-hooks-in-node-js-features-use-cases.jpg

**E**veryone gets stuck in a difficult situation with their manager, boss, peers, or colleagues at one point or other in their career. This is precisely the moment when you need to be emotionally strong and intelligent.



There are a few terms like, Emotional Intelligence (EI) or Emotional Quotient (EQ) that define the capability to understand and manage your emotions well.



This blog is for all those employees who are suffering at work because of their emotional outbursts, who fail to express themselves when confronted, and who often find themselves on the complicated side of their superior, manager, or boss.

If this is your story too, then you are just at the right place. Here, we are going to talk about emotional intelligence at work, how it helps in the workplace, and some tips to acquire this skill-



## What is Emotional Intelligence (EI)?



Emotional Intelligence (EI) refers to the ability to recognize and understand emotions in yourselves as well as others. This ability helps in better management and control of your emotions at workplace.



Emotionally intelligent people often know how to handle their emotions and are not controlled by the emotional impulses.



They are compassionate and don’t judge others by their emotional outburst as well.



They don’t get angry easily. They take criticism very well. They also are the decision makers.



They always approach a situation like a problem; they first observe and understand the conflict and then calmly analyze it for the potential solution.



They know just the right words to say at the wrong time in a manner that would explicitly clarify their point of view without offending or upsetting anyone in the process.



Wow! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have such a **_[skillset](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/soft-skills-an-important-aspect-of-a-developers-life)_** at your disposal?

## Negative & Positive Emotions at Workplace!


![emotions-at-workplace_1.jpg](https://backend.habilelabs.io/uploads/emotions_at_workplace_1_eb79e88b10.jpg)


When we talk about the **_[workplace](https://www.habilelabs.io/blog/socializing-at-workplace-how-to-make-yourself-visible-at-work)_**; a place where a team works together towards a common goal, following professional protocols, where we are suggested to keep our emotions at bay and not let them overwhelm us.



As long as the emotions are positive, i.e., you are excited, overjoyed, compassionate, or polite, you are on the safe side.



Things turn ugly when negative emotions like fear, anxiety, anger, frustration, rudeness, arrogance, etc. start taking their toll. These emotional attributes impact your productivity, mindfulness, and intercept with your work ethics (negatively, of course!).

## Tips to Enhance Your Emotional Quotient (EQ) Factor?



When we speak, it’s not about what we’re saying, but how we are saying it that matters. When emotions get the better of you, you forget that you are in a professional environment, and you have to control your emotions to effectively carry out your tasks.



Being emotionally intelligent doesn’t mean that you become a cold-hearted robot. It simply means that you handle every situation rather peacefully and intelligently, leaving no room for any confusion and miscommunication.



Here are a few tips that can save you from an embarrassing emotional burn at the workplace -



### #1 Ask These Questions to Yourself!



Whenever you are about to burst out, remember to take a moment to breathe. Now, ask yourself-



- Is it right to behave like this at the workplace?
- Am I overreacting?
- What if I’m wrong? (It might be that you’re right, but let’s not rule out the possibility of being wrong.)
- Am I getting personal?



You should never forget where you are. A professional workplace requires professional response and behavior. Everything you say or show ultimately reflects your own personality. Your intentions might be good, but how you frame just the right words to explain your point of view is the vital part.

### #2 Understand Your Peers!



Instead of building up a mountain of an ant-like matter, you should try to de-escalate the potentially conflicting situation.



There might be a disagreement between you and your colleagues, immediate manager, or boss, etc. A conflict at work is nothing more than a form of miscommunication. However, it has the ability to transform a good day into a bad one for you and others as well. You wouldn’t want to be the reason for someone’s bad day, would you?



Sometimes, you end up thinking that the person you’re having trouble coordinating with is a bad person. There is not even an ounce of truth in this statement.



>There are bad situations, miserable moods, unpleasant confrontations, but not bad people. 


Every individual is dealing with their inner demons, and we have no idea how they are keeping up their upfront.



So this would be a wonderful time to give them some benefit of the doubt and try to start afresh.



### #3 Drop the Matter!


As Aristotle says, to be angry is to succumb to a momentary impulse. Well, this is easy. Everyone loses their temper under stress. However, this is not sensible.



But, getting angry to the right level, not crossing the limit, at the right time and for the right reason, is beyond the capacity of ordinary people. And it’s not easy.



Dealing with your high-tempered mindset requires a high level of rational thinking, self-control, and empathy.



Even while facing unintelligent treatment, you need to behave intelligently. No matter how bad the situation is, no matter your boss not getting your point, no matter you failed to explain your situation well. All that matters is that you don’t escalate the situation right then.



If you can’t just let go of the matter, then do this- address the situation the next day or so with calm endeavour and a concerned tone. Try to relax things down. However, if your manager is stretching the matter further, then you might want to contact HR to address and resolve the issue.

### #4 Change Your Perspective!



Each individual has a different and unique perspective of a situation.



When two people see ‘6’ written on the ground, they can argue whether it is ‘6’ or ‘9’. However, this does not mean that one of them is wrong. It is all about perception. They should agree to the fact that they are both right, respect it and move on. There’s no reason to create a rift or hold grudges for an unnecessary reason, right?



Similarly, when find yourself in a potential argument; try to understand the situation from the other person’s perspective. They may be right from their point of view and even if you think they are wrong, you should leave the argument for good. You might not be able to do it at the first instance, but once you start practicing this, you would be automatically bringing in more understanding and compassion within yourself and the ability to look something from a broader perspective.



### #5 Be Genuine!



This is a magical tip! Yes, it is.



In the end, being honest and genuine will save you. If all else fails, try being genuine and peacefully describe your side of the story, and don’t forget to close the argument with a sincere apology.



Whether you were wrong or not, you still took the initiative to drop the matter and offered a genuine apology. That’s a bonus point in your favour which depicts that you value the team more than your grudges and are ready to correct any discrepancies on your part for better results.



This approach will help you build a significant presence in the company and strengthen your personality.

## Bottom Line



Being emotionally intelligent is not always helpful, however. People with high emotional intelligence are normally not liked by their peers. Bitter? But it is true.



Such people are considered rude, arrogant, cold and neutral and in most cases colleagues avoid interacting with them. But if you want to thrive in your career, then emotional intelligence is the skill set you would need the most.

Insights for the enthused minds!

Want to know more

How we build pillars to achieve heights

Want to join us ?

Let’s fill the gaps with IT