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Hello folks,
ES6, pretty much hyped topic these days in front-end world.
So, how about learning some cool features of ES6 and Beyond (like, ES7, ES8).
First thing first.
What ES means?
ES stands for ECMAScript.
What is the different between `ECMAScript` and `JavaScript` then?
- ECMAScript is the standard whereas JavaScript is also the standard. But,
- ECMAScript is specification whereas JavaScript is the implementation of ECMAScript specifications.
So, let’s get started.
What we are going to learn?
- let
- const
- Object Rest/Spread properties
- Arrow Function
- String interpolation
- Exponential **
- Array.prototype.includes
- String.prototype.padStart
- String.prototype.padEnd
- Object.values
- Object.entries
Let
let is the new var but the advantage is that it is accessible & available within the scope only. Let’s see an example.
function let_n_var() { console.log(foo); if(true) { let foo = 'foo'; }}let_n_var();
// Output: Uncaught ReferenceError: foo is not defined
In the above example, if you replace let with var, the output would be undefined and there will be no error. So, as you can see, let helps us to catch early errors and no scope mess.
Const
This is again a new way to declare var but the difference is that once a const is defined, we can not re-assign a value to it.
const baz = 'baz';console.log('baz: ', baz);// Output: bazbaz = 'baaz'// Output: Uncaught TypeError: Assignment to constant variable.
As we know that JavaScript is dynamic language and we tend to do mistakes while updating the variables with different data type or data, const helps us to not override the values once set.
Object Rest/Spread properties
Lets look at it by example.
// Restconst vowels = ['A', 'E', 'I', 'O', 'U'];const [firstVowel, secondVowel, ...restVowels] = vowels;console.log(firstVowel); // Output: 'A'console.log(secondVowel);// Output: 'E'console.log(restVowels); // Output: ['I', 'O', 'U']
In the above code snippet, I am trying to get the values from variable vowels into separate variables for first two vowel and remaining in rest variable.Here are the steps to achieve the same.
- Create a variable with array notation: [firstVowel, secondVowel]. Assign it the vowels variable. This will give us first two vowels in respective variables (based on index)
- Now, part of third value in array notation, use ... with a variable name. eg. restVowels. So, the variable will look like const [firstVowel, secondVowel, ...restVowels]=vowels;
- When code executes, it will create variables with values shown above. The alternate way of achieving the same result could be:
const firstVowel = vowels[0];const secondVowel = vowels[1];const restVowels = vowels.slice(2); // all remaining values
But, rest approach makes code more readable and manageable.
Here is the code sample for spread considering the above code block (used for rest)
// Restconst vowels = ['A', 'E', 'I', 'O', 'U'];const [firstVowel, secondVowel, ...restVowels] = vowels;
// Spreadconst vowelsWithOneConsonant = ['B', ...vowels];console.log(vowelsWithOneConsonant); // Output: ['B', 'A', 'E', 'I', 'O', 'U']
As you can see above, it is very easy to spread the variable vowels to create a new variable with same and one added value too.
These same concepts can be applied on objects too. Go ahead and do some practice. It is fun to use once you learn get used to it.
Arrow Function
This is short hand notation of function but the binding of this works differently.
Let’s understand the syntax first.
// standard way of defining functionfunction getName() { console.log('getName function');}// converted to arrow functionconst getName = () => { console.log('getName function');}
This becomes more interesting and simple when returning values from function.
const getName = (name) => 'Hello' + name;console.log(getName('Anand')); // Output: Hello Anand
At first glance, it may look confusing but lets break down the code little bit.
- We have created a const variable named getName
- Assigned a function shorthand used for arrow function () => {//function body}
- By default, arrow function do not need any {} brackets if our code do not expect more than one line. Use curly brackets if we need to. Without curly bracket, arrow function returns the executed code line. In the above example, it returns Hello Anand
So, the above code can also be written as shown below and the output will be same.
const getName = (name) => { return 'Hello' + name;}console.log(getName('Anand')); // Output: Hello Anand
After some practice, you will get it. Go ahead, fire up the browser console and do some practice. An exercise for you is to check how `this` behaves with arrow function in comparison to the normal function.
String interpolation
Early days in javascript, if we need to create string with some dynamic values, we used to use +. Sooner or later, it gets more confusing if it gets really bigger.
So, the string interpolation came to rescue. The syntax is to use back-tick (`) instead of single/double quotes. And, ${} helps us to put dynamic data without worrying about opening/closing of the sentance or going wrong about missing+ or single/double quotes.
Lets look at the example below:
// Old approachvar guest = 'all';var name = 'Anand';var age = 32;var hobby1= "listening to music";var hobby2 = "mobiles games";const sayHello = "Hello " + guest + "! My name is " + name + ". My age is " + age + " years. My hobbies are " + hobby1 + ", "+ hobby2 + '.';console.log(sayHello); // Output: Hello all! My name is Anand. My age is 32 years. My hobbies are listening to music, mobiles games.
I am sure, it is already looking confusing to you guys. Now look at the below example
// New approachconst guest = 'all';const name = 'Anand';const age = 32;const hobby1= "listening to music";const hobby2 = "mobiles games";const sayHello = `Hello ${guest}! My name is ${name}. My age is ${age} years. My hobbies are ${hobby1}, ${hobby2}.`;console.log(sayHello); // Output: Hello all! My name is Anand. My age is 32 years. My hobbies are listening to music, mobiles games.
Isn’t that cool. 😎
Exponential
I am sure you all know Exponent in mathematics. In Javascript, we used to use Math.pow(5, 6); // Output: 15625 to get the exponent.
Now, we have a short hand to get the same result by doing 3 ** 4; // Output: 15625.So, we can say following:
Math.pow(5, 6) == 5 ** 6;
Array.prototype.includes
As it’s name suggests, we can use includes to get true or false result value by checking if the value is included or not.Example:
[1, 2].includes(1); // true[1, 3].includes(2); // falsevar foo = 'foo';foo.includes('f'); // truefoo.includes('F'); // false// So, it is case sensitive too. Please take care.
String.prototype.padStart/String.prototype.padEnd
This one is quite interesting. Lets define it first.
padStart and padEnd is used to pad the current string with another string until the given string length reaches.padStart applies padding from start (left) of the string. On the other hand padEnd applies padding from end (right) of the string.
These functions can apply padding to the current string with another string multiple times as well, if needed.
Let’s have a look to an example
// padStartconst cardNumber = '1234567812345678';const last3Digit = cardNumber.slice(-3);const maskedCardNumber = last3Digit.padStart(16, 'X');console.log(maskedCardNumber); // Output: "XXXXXXXXXXXXX678"
// padEndconst loremIpsum = "Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and";const loremIpsumWithDots = loremIpsum.padEnd(loremIpsum.length+3, '.');console.log(loremIpsumWithDots);// Output: Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and...
How cool is that? It is pretty interesting and useful. Do practice though.
Object.values
Earlier, we used to use Object.keys if we need to iterate over an object. But now, we can use values or entries instead keys as per our need.
So, with Object.values, it returns all the enumerable properties values as an array. Then, it is easy to consume these values directly.Example:
const objectFoo = { name: 'foo', isAvailable: false};Object.values(objectFoo);// Output: ['foo', false]
Object.entries
On the other hand, Object.entries also gives an array but it contains objects’ own enumerable string key property [key, value] pairs. The order remains same as in provided by for...in.Example:
const objectFoo = { name: 'foo', isAvailable: false};Object.entries(objectFoo);// Output: [['name', 'foo'], ['isAvailable', false]]
Summary
That’s it for this post.
We learnt some of the key and useful features of ES6+. Do practice at your own. Put down comments as a feedback. Do give some applause too and do not forget to share it.
ES6 and Beyond > was originally published in Hacker Noon on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views of Bitcoin Insider. Every investment and trading move involves risk - this is especially true for cryptocurrencies given their volatility. We strongly advise our readers to conduct their own research when making a decision.