Difference between ES and ESCAM JavaScript
JavaScript has been a cornerstone of web development for decades, and over the years, it has evolved significantly. Two key concepts that often come up in discussions about JavaScript are ES (ECMAScript) and ESCAM (ECMAScript 2015). While both are related to the JavaScript language, they have distinct characteristics and purposes. In this article, we will delve into the difference between ES and ESCAM JavaScript to help you better understand their roles in the world of web development.
ES (ECMAScript)
ECMAScript, commonly referred to as ES, is a scripting language specification standardized by Ecma International. It serves as the foundation for JavaScript, which is an implementation of the ECMAScript specification. The first version of ECMAScript was released in 1997, and since then, it has been updated regularly to introduce new features and improvements.
ES versions are numbered, with each version bringing new features and syntax changes. For example, ES6 (also known as ECMAScript 2015) introduced features like arrow functions, let and const, template literals, and modules, which significantly enhanced the language’s capabilities.
ESCAM (ECMAScript 2015)
ESCAM, on the other hand, is a shorthand for ECMAScript 2015. It is simply another name for the same version of the ECMAScript specification. The term “ESCAM” is often used by developers to refer to the features and syntax introduced in this version, as it was a significant update to the language.
The reason why ESCAM is sometimes used instead of ES6 is to emphasize the year of the update (2015) and the fact that it brought about a considerable number of changes. It is important to note that ESCAM is not a separate language or specification; it is just a different name for ECMAScript 2015.
Key Differences
Now that we have a basic understanding of both ES and ESCAM, let’s look at the key differences between them:
1. Terminology: As mentioned earlier, ESCAM is simply a different name for ECMAScript 2015. ES refers to the broader ECMAScript specification, which includes all versions, including ESCAM.
2. Features: While both ES and ESCAM encompass the same set of features introduced in ECMAScript 2015, the term ESCAM is used to specifically highlight these features.
3. Use Cases: Developers often use the term ESCAM when discussing the features and syntax introduced in ECMAScript 2015, especially when writing code that utilizes these features. ES is more of a general term that refers to the ECMAScript specification as a whole.
In conclusion, the difference between ES and ESCAM JavaScript is primarily in terminology. ESCAM is a shorthand for ECMAScript 2015, which is a significant update to the ECMAScript specification. Both terms are used to refer to the same set of features and syntax changes introduced in this version, but ESCAM is more commonly used when discussing these specific features in the context of web development.