JavaScript Standards

What Are JavaScript Standards?

JavaScript is defined by the ECMA-262 specification maintained by ECMA International. The standard ensures consistent behavior across implementations and enables innovation through versioned updates (ES5, ES6, ES2015+).

Standards govern syntax rules, runtime behaviors, and new features introduced through the TC39 process.

Standards Organizations

ECMA International

The standards body maintaining JavaScript through the ECMA-262 documentation.

Coordinates with browser engine developers
Manages yearly spec releases since 2015 (ES2015+)
Focuses on interoperability between implementations

TC39 Process

Feature proposals are submitted through four stages to ensure quality:

Stage 0 🟡 - Proposal

Initial design ideas

Stage 3 🟢 - Candidate

Accepted by TC39

Stage 4 ✅ - Completed

Added to spec

JavaScript Timeline

1995

JavaScript Birth

Netscape engineers create JavaScript for dynamic web pages. Originally designed in 10 days by Brendan Eich.

2009

ECMAScript 5 (ES5)

First major standard defining object notation, strict mode, and JSON support. Gained widespread adoption.

2015

ES2015 (ES6)

Landmark release adding classes, modules, arrow functions, Promises, and ES Modules.

const sum = (a, b) => a + b;

ES2020+

Annual enhancements include optional chaining, private class fields, and top-level await.

const data = obj?.val ?? 'Default';