# JavaScript (ES6) introduction
# Background information
| Year | Version | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | JavaScript is born inside the Netscape browser (opens new window) | |
| 1996 | Netscape submitted JavaScript to ECMA International, as the starting point for a standard specification that all browser vendors could conform to | |
| 1997 | ECMAScript 1 | ECMA releases the first "ECMAScript language specification" which is now the "official" name for JavaScript |
| 1998...2011 | ECMAScript 2, 3, | During this period, features were added gradually |
| 2009 | Node.js | The first server-side JavaScript environment was born |
| 2015 | ECMAScript 2015 aka ES6 | Significant update; also the standardization process was changed |
| 2016...2023 | ECMAScript 2016 (ES7) ... ECMAScript 2023 (ES14) | Every year new features are added to the language |
REMARKS: Support & compatibility
- Over 95% of the browsers support the (mostly used) ES6 features we discuss in this course
- See also: ES6 browser compatibility table (opens new window)
WARNING: JavaScript vs. Java
- The choice of the name JavaScript has caused confusion
- JavaScript has NOTHING in common with Java (apart from similar syntax rules) - Java code must be compiled first before it can be executed - JavaScript is an interpreted language that runs inside the browser which stops execution when there is an error