<p>We all want to write grand, sweeping, change-the-world code. Great!</p><p>But making code work is different than writing code. And the more code you have, the harder it is to make it all work at once.</p><p>So make your code work in small(er) bits, then put it together. Traditional advice is to drop code into functions, modules, and classes in order to compartmentalize—or “encapsulate,” if you want the $15 word. But that’s a little static.</p><p>In addition to defensive coding structures, use plenty of small-scale experiments and prototypes. “Live test” sites like <a href="http://jsfiddle.net/">JSFiddle</a>, <a href="http://plnkr.co">Plunker</a>, or <a href="runnable.com">runnable</a> can be especially helpful. These “playground” or “sandbox” sites let you get code running “in the small,” in a clean, well-controlled environment before moving bits and pieces back into your larger application. There are <a href="http://techslides.com/30-code-playgrounds-and-sharing-tools">a lot to choose from</a>, and they’re amazingly useful.</p>
