JavaScript in 2023: A Year of Dramatic Changes
By [Your Name]
2023 has been a wild year. My bank collapsed, Elon bought Twitter, almost all my friends got laid off, all my favorite crypto Bros are going to jail, Tesla successfully made the DeLorean with a Pontiac Aztec, bringing us the Cyber truck, and chat GPT made me obsolete. But all this good news pales in comparison to the changes web developers have seen in JavaScript land over the last year. Almost every framework decided to reinvent itself in 2023. In today’s article, we’ll explore 10 significant changes to JavaScript that you may have missed.
ECMAScript Language Features
Every year, new language features get standardized in ECMAScript, at which point they’re implemented in browsers. One of my favorite new features this year is the groupBy method for objects. Another notable addition is the ability to use sort, reverse, and splice without mutating the original array, making for a more predictable and maintainable code.
HTML and Web Features
Web developers also got some cool updates in the form of new HTML elements, such as the <search> tag and the <dialogue> element, which allows for easy creation and control of modal dialogues with JavaScript. Additionally, iOS now allows push notifications from web apps, a significant win for website users.
Frameworks
The world’s most popular JavaScript framework, Next.js, saw significant changes with the introduction of the app directory and server components. However, the reception to these changes has been mixed among developers. Similarly, Nuxt.js and the Vue ecosystem had notable updates, including new Dev tools and the availability of components through the unified JavaScript tools ecosystem.
On the other hand, Svelte announced significant changes with its introduction of Runes, which replaces reactive variables with a new syntax. These changes were met with mixed reactions from users, with some seeing it as an evolution in the right direction and others feeling like it made Svelte more like React, which they were trying to avoid.
Angular also went through a major overhaul, introducing a new template syntax, signals, and defer views. The framework also unveiled a new logo, marking a significant change for Angular in 2023.
Node.js and Backend JavaScript
Node.js quietly improved with new versions introducing a permissions model for improved security and a websocket client based on the browser’s websocket API. Additionally, a new JavaScript runtime called Bun, written in Zig, entered the scene, promising a different approach to backend JavaScript.
The Rise of HTMX
Lastly, HTMX, a new JavaScript framework, emerged as a potential game-changer, capturing the imagination of the JavaScript ecosystem with its meme-heavy presence on Twitter and its ability to eliminate a ton of JavaScript compared to other major frameworks.
With these 10 significant changes in JavaScript for 2023, it’s clear that the landscape of web development has evolved dramatically. Whether it’s new language features, HTML elements, framework overhauls, or new back-end technologies, JavaScript continues to be at the forefront of innovation in the world of programming. As we look forward to the future, it’s exciting to anticipate what further advancements and changes JavaScript will bring in the years to come.
