ECMAScript
With each new development, the standard for Javascript and the WorldWideWeb increased as the language gained more functions and the quality of life changed.
A timeline showing all the releases of ECMAScript from 1 up to 10. (ECMAScript standardization process, Vinícius).
Shows how ECMAScript has evolved to become more intelligent (SLF Newsroom)
ECMA2 was a major update for all the minor issues.
"ECMAScript 2, also known as ES2, was the second version of the ECMAScript standard and was released in 1998. It made minor changes to the language and mainly focused on making the standard more consistent."(WebReference)
Implemented into most browsers at the time.
ECMA3 introduced many major updates, and these updates acted as quality-of-life changes to the user.
“ECMAScript 3 (1999) In 1999, ECMAScript 3 was released, further refining and standardizing the language."(History of JavaScript and its Evolution, Suleman Elahi)
This version of ECMAScript was also implemented in most browsers faster than ECMA2.
Functions of this new script were more critical to have.
"It introduced several important features such as regular expressions, try-catch statements, and improved string handling. "(WebReference)
ECMAScript 4 never happened hence the question mark(ECMAScript 4: The missing version).
What happened to ECMAScript 4?
"ECMAScript 4 was planned to be the fourth version of the ECMAScript standard, but it was never released. It was intended to introduce significant changes to the language, including classes, interfaces, and namespaces. However, the proposal faced significant opposition, and the development was ultimately abandoned. "(WebReference)
ECMA5 was a long-awaited update that brought a decade's worth of ideas into the standard.
ECMAScript 5 was the fifth version of the ECMAScript standard and was released in 2009. It introduced several important features such as strict mode, JSON support, and improved array manipulation.
“ECMAScript 5 (2009) After a hiatus, ECMAScript 5 was released in 2009. This version brought substantial improvements and introduced features that enhanced the language’s functionality and performance. It played a pivotal role in modernizing ECMAScript.” (History of JavaScript and its Evolution, Suleman Elahi)
ECMAScript 5 was the first ECMAScript to have every single browser implement it.
ECMA6 was the final major update that ECMAScript has seen, and its functionality is what runs the modern-day web (for the most part).
Released in 2015, ECMAScript6 introduced several important features such as let and const, arrow functions, template literals, and classes.
Again, this ECMAScript was implemented in all browsers showing its role as the standard for every web browser.
“ECMAScript 6 (2015) ECMAScript 6, also known as ES6 or ECMAScript 2015, marked a significant milestone in the language’s evolution. Released in 2015, it introduced a plethora of new features, syntax enhancements, and programming paradigms, making ECMAScript more powerful and versatile.” (History of JavaScript and its Evolution, Suleman Elahi)
From this point on, ECMA continues to get much smaller quality of life changes from developers still invested in the growth of the web.
Shows a complete timeline for ECMAScript with related events also in the timeline. (An ECMAScript timeline)