# Generator Refactoring Comparison
This document shows how using the new `generatorHelpers` module reduces code duplication and improves maintainability.
## Example: Composition and Layer Validation
### Before (Duplicated in 20+ places):
```javascript
script += 'var comp = app.project.itemByID(' + params.compId + ');\n';
script += 'if (!comp || !(comp instanceof CompItem)) {\n';
script += ' throw new Error("Composition not found");\n';
script += '}\n\n';
script += 'var layer = comp.layer(' + params.layerIndex + ');\n';
script += 'if (!layer) {\n';
script += ' throw new Error("Layer not found");\n';
script += '}\n\n';
```
### After (Using helpers):
```javascript
script += gh.getCompValidation(params.compId);
script += gh.getLayerValidation(params.layerIndex);
```
**Benefit**: 9 lines reduced to 2 lines, with consistent error messages across all generators.
## Example: Property Path Navigation
### Before (Duplicated in 8+ places):
```javascript
script += 'var pathParts = propertyPath.split(".");\n';
script += 'prop = layer;\n\n';
script += 'for (var i = 0; i < pathParts.length; i++) {\n';
script += ' var part = pathParts[i];\n';
script += ' if (part === "Transform" && prop === layer) {\n';
script += ' prop = prop.property("ADBE Transform Group");\n';
script += ' } else if (part === "Position" && i > 0 && pathParts[i-1] === "Transform") {\n';
script += ' prop = prop.property("ADBE Position");\n';
// ... 20+ more lines of property navigation
script += '}\n\n';
```
### After:
```javascript
script += gh.navigatePropertyPath('propertyPath');
```
**Benefit**: 30+ lines reduced to 1 line, with centralized property mapping logic.
## Example: Return Value Generation
### Before:
```javascript
script += 'return {\n';
script += ' success: true,\n';
script += ' data: {\n';
script += ' index: layer.index,\n';
script += ' name: layer.name\n';
script += ' }\n';
script += '};';
```
### After:
```javascript
script += gh.generateSuccessReturn('{\n index: layer.index,\n name: layer.name\n }');
```
**Benefit**: More concise and ensures consistent return structure.
## Benefits of Refactoring
1. **Code Reduction**: Approximately 40-60% reduction in code size for most generator functions
2. **Consistency**: Error messages and validation logic are consistent across all generators
3. **Maintainability**: Bug fixes and improvements in helpers automatically apply everywhere
4. **Readability**: Generator functions focus on their specific logic rather than boilerplate
5. **Type Safety**: Helper functions can enforce consistent parameter types
6. **Testing**: Easier to test common patterns in isolation
## Migration Strategy
1. Start with new generators using helpers immediately
2. Gradually refactor existing generators when making changes
3. Keep both versions during transition period
4. Run tests to ensure refactored code produces identical output
5. Remove old code once all generators are migrated
## Helper Categories
The `generatorHelpers` module provides helpers for:
- **Validation**: `getCompValidation`, `getLayerValidation`, `validateLayerType`
- **Property Access**: `navigatePropertyPath`, `normalizePropertyName`, `checkPropertyCapability`
- **Value Handling**: `setStringProperty`, `getValueOrDefault`, `validateArrayValue`
- **Code Structure**: `wrapInTryCatch`, `generateBatchLoop`, `getSetPropertyValueHelper`
- **Return Values**: `generateSuccessReturn`
- **Utilities**: `getLayerInfoVar`, `stringifyObject`
## Next Steps
1. Review and approve the helper functions
2. Create unit tests for the helpers
3. Begin migrating generators one file at a time
4. Update documentation to use helpers in examples
5. Consider additional helpers for effect-specific patterns
