"utils" vs "lib"

[nwinch]

I notice there is no scaffolded /src/lib folder, and instead things that look like libraries to me are placed in /src/utils.

Can someone please enlighten me on the difference(s) between the two, and when you would create a util vs a library? I understand what a library is and when it would be created/used in context of models, controllers etc.. though what I'm seeing in /src/utils look like libs to me?

I am confuse.

[kaievns]

hey, so it is mostly the same thing. the difference to me is something like this:

lib/ is where libs (like actual well done libraries) live
utils/ is where utility bits and pieces live

basically libs is a more polished thing. lib is where i'd have a local copy of some package or i've cloned a library from the internet. and utils is a more of a freeform bucket where various cross-concern bits and pieces go, they don't have to be actual libs.

although i'm kind of agree that we have the model and controller stuff in there that are technically more libs than utils, but i was hoping to move those into a shared npm package at some point and leave utils for the app specific nuts and bolts.

if you find it too confusing i'm open for changes, doesn't really matter to me that much as long as it is a dedicated bucket for stuff

[nwinch]

Ah thank you! That does indeed enlighten me on the utils subject.

I think lib covers all those aspects. So far in utils I see logger - which could easily be a lib as it's mini customised version of bunyan - and module, which, could easily mature into a lib or separate package outside of redbeard.

When I think of utils, I think of things that for the most part other people have solved much better than me :) eg. lodash etc.. If you find yourself about to write some kind of utility function/helper, there's a pretty good chance it's already been done I'd say.

Also I think consistency and legacy should weigh in here, in that we've run with lib for a good long while and there hasn't been any reason not to continue with the convention.

[kaievns]

oh, and another reason why i prefer utils over lib is that utils always hands at the bottom of the folders list. it kind of gives me that "bottom drawer" feel, like all the important stuff is always on the top, and all the nuts and bolts always at the bottom, so i can quickly find it visually because i know that it is always at the bottom of the list. where lib tends to hang somewhere in the middle

but, if it really bugs you lets vote on it and rename