What is the difference between JavaScript and ECMAScript?

Origins and evolution: From Mocha to mighty JavaScript

JavaScript, originally named Mocha, later rebranded as LiveScript, developed further into JavaScript as we know today. The association with the Java name originated from a partnership between Netscape and Sun Microsystems during JavaScript's early development phase.

JavaScript’s growth led Netscape to submit it to Ecma International for standardization, giving birth to the ECMAScript standard. This move sparked a wave of consistency in JavaScript behaviour across different platforms. Today's JavaScript relies on the ES5 edition, released in 2009, with ensuing updates like ES6 (or ES2015) introducing substantial innovations.

The nuts and bolts: JavaScript engines and transcompilation

Each browser comes equipped with a JavaScript engine, responsible for the interpretation and execution of JavaScript code. Note, these engines do not directly compile ECMAScript; instead, they process JavaScript implementations following the ES ruleset. Developers often employ tools like BabelJS to transpile modern ECMAScript syntax to ES5, assuring backward compatibility.

TypeScript and CoffeeScript, often mentioned alongside JavaScript, are languages building upon JavaScript, transcompiling down to ES5 code. These added layers of syntactic sugar and robust typing over vanilla JavaScript have garnered popularity among developers.

Real-world applications: JavaScript and ECMAScript in unison

When we talk about JavaScript, we implicitly include the ECMAScript specification, the Document Object Model (DOM) for HTML/XML document interaction, and the Browser Object Model (BOM) to interact with the browser itself.

While ECMAScript governs the core language mechanics, the DOM and BOM fall outside its scope and can vary across browsers. Therefore, for a web developer, understanding the capabilities and limits of the DOM and BOM is as crucial as understanding ECMAScript.

Keeping up with the ongoing development of ECMAScript, evidenced by updates like ES2020, is vital for your skills as a web developer.

Deep Dive into JavaScript Development Using ECMAScript

ECMAScript's versatility: Beyond JavaScript

Apart from JavaScript, different languages based on ECMAScript have been developed, such as ActionScript used in Adobe Flash, and JScript, Microsoft's proprietary version. These alternatives highlight the adaptability of the ECMAScript standard beyond traditional web environments.

Compatibility matters: Different versions, different needs

With newer features continuously introduced to ECMAScript, the issue of browser compatibility remains paramount. Utilities like Babel can transpile JavaScript code into versions compatible with a wide range of browsers. This procedure ensures that your web applications function optimally, regardless of the user's browser type or version.

Understanding the ECMAScript timeline

Grasping the chronological progression and evolution of ECMAScript's various editions can offer a meaningful context to the growth of JavaScript features. Elements like let and const for block-scoping, arrow functions, and template literals introduced in ES6 have revolutionized JavaScript's syntax and usage.