What is ES6?

Also known as ECMAScript 6, ECMAScript 2015 or Javascript 6, ES6 is a version of Javascript that was introduced in 2105.

ECMAScript (ES) is a scripting language specification standardised by ECMA International. It is used by applications to enable client-side scripting.

ECMA stands for:

European Computer Manufacturers Association

ES6 has some of the following features:

1. Support for constants.
2. Block scope.
3. Arrow functions.
4. Extended parameter handling.
5. Template literals.
6. Extended literals.
7. Enhanced object properties.
8. De-structuring assignment.
9. Modules.
10. Classes.
11. Iterators.
12. Generators.
13. Collections.
14. Built-in methods for classes
15. Promises.

Consider this way of declaring a function in vanilla Javascript:

function myFunc(){
//do something
}

In ES6, we would use an Arrow Function like so:

myFunc = () =>{
//do something here
}

In Summary …

ES6 is all about simplicity and efficiency. But if you are just starting out in Javascript or thinking about it, it is a good idea to go through the ‘Vanilla’ way first so that you can understand the core concepts of the language.