ECMAScript 2015
ECMAScript 2015, commonly known as ES6, is a major update to the JavaScript language specification that introduced significant new syntax and features to improve code readability, maintainability, and functionality. It includes additions such as arrow functions, classes, template literals, destructuring, and modules, which modernized JavaScript development. This version laid the foundation for subsequent yearly ECMAScript releases, making it a pivotal standard in web and server-side programming.
Developers should learn ES6 because it is now the baseline for modern JavaScript development, with most browsers and Node.js supporting its features, enabling cleaner and more efficient code. It is essential for building scalable applications, particularly in frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.js, where features like classes and modules are heavily utilized. Learning ES6 also prepares developers for newer ECMAScript versions, ensuring they stay current with industry standards.