What is tree shaking and how does it work?

What is tree shaking and how does it work?

Tree shaking is a term commonly used in JavaScript to describe the process of eliminating dead code. It helps reduce the size of your final bundle by removing unused exports from your modules.

Why is tree shaking important for web development?

Tree shaking is important because it optimizes the performance of web applications by reducing load times and improving efficiency. Smaller bundles mean faster downloads and better user experiences.

Can you give me an example of how to implement tree shaking?

Sure! If you're using a module bundler like Webpack, you can enable tree shaking by setting the mode to 'production' in your configuration. This allows Webpack to analyze your code and remove unused exports.

Are there any limitations to tree shaking?

Yes, tree shaking has limitations. It works best with ES6 modules, and if your code uses dynamic imports or certain patterns, it may not effectively eliminate all unused code.