How to Learn ES6

Summary

The web content provides guidance and resources for learning ECMAScript 6 (ES6), emphasizing its widespread adoption and the availability of tools like transpilers to facilitate its use.

Abstract

The article "How to Learn ES6" discusses the importance of learning the latest JavaScript standard, ES6, which has been rapidly adopted due to tools like Babel that allow ES6 code to run on older browsers. It addresses common excuses for not learning ES6, such as browser support and the introduction of a compile step, and encourages immediate learning by providing a list of resources. These resources include interactive tools like the Babel REPL, webcasts, books, and tutorials that cover ES6 syntax and functional programming. The article also cautions about the use of the class and extends keywords, suggesting a preference for composition over inheritance, and offers further reading on prototypal object-oriented programming and common misconceptions in JavaScript inheritance.

Opinions

The author asserts that nearly half of the respondents to a survey were already using ES6 around the time it became official, indicating a swift adoption rate.
Transpilers and polyfills are recommended to overcome browser support issues, allowing developers to use ES6 without concern for older browsers.
The article suggests that a compile step is beneficial and necessary for non-trivial applications, not just for ES6 but for other reasons as well.
Beginners are encouraged to learn ES6 as it is the current standard and will be featured in all new learning materials.
Caution is advised when using class and extends syntax in ES6, with a recommendation to favor composition over class inheritance.

How to Learn ES6

We ran a survey at about the time the standard became official in June 2015 to see how many people were using ES6. Nearly half of respondents already were. Because of the availability of transpilers and polyfills, the world adopted ES6 much faster than previous enhancements to the language specification. ES6 includes lots of great enhancements that will make you & your team more effective.

If you haven’t learned ES6 yet, the time is now.

Common Excuses

“I’m waiting for browser support.” Babel lets you transpile most ES6 code so it will work in browsers dating back to IE8. Don’t get left behind.

“I don’t want to introduce a compile step.” If you’re building any non-trivial app, you should be compiling anyway, for many reasons.

“I’m a beginner and learning ES6 while I’m trying to learn JavaScript sounds hard.” I hear you, but ES6 is JavaScript. It’s the current, official JavaScript standard, and all the new books and tutorials you’ll want to read are going to use ES6 examples. In the meantime,

I’m Ready to Learn!

P.S. Use class and extends with caution. You’ll need to know the syntax because you’ll encounter it a lot in spite of dangers. In particular, avoid the extends keyword when you can. Explore these resources to learn why:

Level up your skills with courses & webcasts on ES6, TDD, prototypal OO, React, & More.

Eric Elliott is the author of “Programming JavaScript Applications” (O’Reilly), and “Learn Universal JavaScript App Development with Node & React”. He has contributed to software experiences for Adobe Systems, Zumba Fitness, The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, BBC, and top recording artists includingUsher,Frank Ocean, Metallica, and many more.

He spends most of his time in the San Francisco Bay Area with the most beautiful woman in the world.