What is ECMAScript?

Introduction

ECMAScript (ES) is the standardized specification that serves as the foundation of JavaScript. ECMAScript is the rulebook, while JavaScript is the most widely used implementation.

Table of Contents

• From Mocha to Standardization: The Genesis of ECMAScript
• TC39: Forging the Standard
• The Birth of ECMAScript
• Significant Milestones in ECMAScript Evolution

From Mocha to Standardization: The Genesis of ECMAScript

The story begins in 1995 when Brendan Eich at Netscape created Mocha, which quickly evolved into LiveScript and ultimately became JavaScript. Recognizing the need for consistency across different web browsers, Netscape approached ECMA International (formerly the European Computer Manufacturers Association) in November 1996 to standardize JavaScript. This was a pivotal moment that highlighted the growing significance of the language and the necessity for interoperability.

TC39: Forging the Standard

ECMA's Technical Committee 39 (TC39) was established to lead the standardization of JavaScript. This committee plays a vital role by bringing together representatives from various companies deeply invested in the future of the web and JavaScript. Notable participants include Netscape, Sun Microsystems, and Microsoft, all of whom are interested in the evolution of JavaScript. This diverse group, with their collective expertise, ensures that the standardization process takes into account a wide range of perspectives and needs. TC39 continues to be the driving force behind the ongoing development of ECMAScript.

The Birth of ECMAScript

The first edition of the ECMAScript standard - ECMA-262 was published in June 1997. The name ECMAScript was chosen as a strategic compromise between Netscape and Microsoft, which had its own version of JavaScript called JScript. This neutral name helped avoid trademark issues and represented a collaborative effort to establish a shared standard.

ECMA-262 is the official technical specification that defines ECMAScript. You can find the latest version of the ECMA-262 specification on the ECMA International website here: https://ecma-international.org/publications-and-standards/standards/ecma-262/.

Significant Milestones in ECMAScript Evolution

ECMAScript has evolved significantly over the years. Here are some key milestones:

• ES3 (1999): This version marked a significant step forward, introducing features like try-catch exception handling and regular expressions. ES3 saw widespread adoption, solidifying JavaScript's place in web development.
• ES5 (2009): This major revision introduced strict mode for cleaner code and new features like JSON support and improved array handling. ES5 represented a maturation of the language.
• ES6/ES2015 (2015): A landmark release that revolutionized JavaScript with features like classes, arrow functions, template literals, destructuring, modules, and let and const for block scoping. ES6 modernized JavaScript, enabling more sophisticated and maintainable code.
• ES6+ (2015-Present): Since ES6, ECMAScript has adopted an annual release cycle, with new versions (ES7, ES8, ES9, and so on) introducing incremental improvements and features. These additions have focused on developer experience, asynchronous programming, and performance enhancements, keeping JavaScript a relevant and powerful language. Notable features from these updates include async/await, optional chaining, nullish coalescing, and numerous other refinements.

The continuous evolution of ECMAScript, guided by TC39, ensures that JavaScript remains a dynamic and essential language for web development and beyond. It provides a stable yet evolving foundation upon which the modern JavaScript ecosystem thrives.