Babel
Babel is a JavaScript compiler that transforms modern JavaScript code (ES6+) into backward-compatible versions that can run in older browsers or environments. It enables developers to use the latest JavaScript features while ensuring broad compatibility across different platforms. Babel also supports JSX syntax for React and can be extended with plugins for custom transformations.
Developers should use Babel when building web applications that need to support older browsers like Internet Explorer or when using cutting-edge JavaScript features not yet universally supported. It is essential in modern front-end development workflows, especially with frameworks like React, to transpile JSX and ES6+ syntax into ES5 for production deployment. Babel also integrates with build tools like Webpack and Rollup for efficient bundling.