JavaScript is a widely-used programming language that has gained immense popularity among developers globally. Created by Brendan Eich in 1995, it was initially known as Mocha and later renamed to JavaScript. This versatile language can execute code on both the client-side (within web browsers) and the server-side (on servers) due to its lightweight and user-friendly nature.
In 1997, JavaScript was standardized under the name ECMAScript by ECMA International, which established a framework for consistent implementation across different web environments. Since then, various versions of ECMAScript have been released, each introducing new features and improvements. The versions prior to 2016 are typically referred to by their edition numbers, such as ES1 (1997), ES2 (1998), ES3 (1999), ES5 (2009), and ES6 (2015). Starting from 2016, each version has been named after the year of its release, including ECMAScript 2016, ECMAScript 2017, and so forth.Over the years, JavaScript has evolved significantly, incorporating features that enhance its functionality and ease of use. Some notable milestones include:(more)
- ES5 (2009): Introduced strict mode, JSON support, and improved array methods.
- ES6 (2015): Brought major enhancements like classes, promises, arrow functions, and block-scoped variables (
letandconst). - Annual Updates: From ECMAScript 2016 onwards, new features have been added annually, including async functions and improved object handling.
This continuous evolution has solidified JavaScript’s role as a foundational technology for web development, enabling developers to create dynamic and interactive applications efficiently.
Let’s take a look at the different versions of ECMAScript, their release years, and the key features they introduced:
| Version | Name | Release Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES1 | ECMAScript 1 | 1997 | Initial Release |
| ES2 | ECMAScript 2 | 1998 | Minor Editorial Changes |
| ES3 | ECMAScript 3 | 1999 | Added: Regular Expressions, try/catch, Exception Handling, switch case, and do-while |
| ES4 | ECMAScript 4 | – | Abandoned due to conflicts |
| ES5 | ECMAScript 5 | 2009 | Added: JavaScript “strict mode,” JSON support, getters and setters |
| ES6 | ECMAScript 2015 | 2015 | Added: let and const, class declaration, import and export, for..of loop, arrow functions |
| ES7 | ECMAScript 2016 | 2016 | Added: Block scope for variables, async/await, Array.includes function, Exponentiation Operator |
| ES8 | ECMAScript 2017 | 2017 | Added: Object.values, Object.entries, Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptors |
| ES9 | ECMAScript 2018 | 2018 | Added: Spread operator, rest parameters |
| ES10 | ECMAScript 2019 | 2019 | Added: Array.flat(), Array.flatMap(), stable sorting for Array.sort |
| ES11 | ECMAScript 2020 | 2020 | Added: BigInt primitive type, nullish coalescing operator |
| ES12 | ECMAScript 2021 | 2021 | Added: String.replaceAll() method, Promise.any() method |
| ES13 | ECMAScript 2022 | 2022 | Added: Top-level await, new class elements (private/public fields), static blocks in classes |
| ES14 | ECMAScript 2023 | 2023 | Added: toSorted method, toReversed method, findLast and findLastIndex methods |
This table summarizes the key versions of ECMAScript along with their release years and notable features introduced.
JavaScript Versions – FAQs
What is ECMAScript?
ECMAScript (ES) is the standardized scripting language specification that serves as the foundation for JavaScript. It defines the core features and functionalities of the language, ensuring consistency across different implementations.
What is ES6?
ES6, officially known as ECMAScript 2015, is the sixth edition of the ECMAScript standard. Released in June 2015, it introduced significant enhancements to JavaScript, including:
- Arrow functions
- Classes
- Template literals
- Default parameters
- Destructuring assignment
- Modules
- Promises
- let and const keywords
These features have greatly improved code readability and maintainability.
What are some key features introduced in ES5?
ES5, or ECMAScript 5, was released in 2009 and brought several important features to JavaScript, including:
- Strict mode: Helps catch common coding errors.
- JSON support: Allows for easy parsing and stringifying of JSON data.
- New array methods: Introduced methods like
forEach(),map(),filter(), and others that enhanced array manipulation capabilities.
How have JavaScript versions evolved over time?
JavaScript has undergone significant evolution since its inception. The first three versions (ES1, ES2, and ES3) established the basic structure of the language. Notably:
- ES4 was planned but ultimately abandoned due to conflicts within the community.
- ES5 marked a major revision with new features that improved the language’s robustness.
- ES6 introduced many modern programming concepts that are widely used today.
- Since 2016, versions have been released annually and named after their release year (e.g., ECMAScript 2016, ECMAScript 2017).
What are the latest versions of JavaScript?
The most recent version as of now is ECMAScript 2023 (ES14), which includes new methods like toSorted, toReversed, findLast, and findLastIndex for arrays. Each version continues to build on the previous ones, adding features that enhance functionality and performance
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