ES6 or ECMAScript 2015 is the next generation JavaScript standard. It has a lot of awesome features. 

Read only variables are available in JavaScript (es6/es2015).  We will use const declarations and their benefits, like read only and block scope.

javascript

const Declarations in es6 (ES2015)

ES6 (ES2015) introduces a [standardized module format](http://babeljs.io/docs/learn-es2015/#modules) to Javascript. We'll take a look at the various forms of defining and importing modules. Using [Webpack](http://webpack.github.io/) to bundle up our modules and [Babel](http://babeljs.io/) to transpile our ES6 into ES5, we'll put this new module syntax to work within our project. Then we'll examine how to import 3rd party packages from npm, importing [lodash](https://lodash.com/) with the `_` underscore alias using the ES6 module syntax.

ES6 Modules (ES2015) - Import and Export

Building on the ES6 Shorthand Properties lesson, John shows the other new Object Enhancements in ES6 that will help you write less code and easily create complex Objects.

Object Enhancements in ES6

The spread operator allows you to "explode" an array into its individual elements.

Using the ES6 spread operator

Shorthand properties allow you to compose complex objects from other objects.

Shorthand Properties in ES6

Generators in ECMAscript 6 are first-class coroutines that produce encapsulated suspended execution contexts. Whew! Yield values and iterate over them until no more values exist in the generator. We'll talk more about practical use later ;)

ES6 (ES2015) - Generators

ECMAscript 6 lets us use string templates to gain a lot more control over strings in JavaScript.

Use Template Literals in ES6

ECMAscript 6 destructuring provides flexible options for variable assignment. 

Destructuring Assignment in ES6

With ECMAscript 6 we get the luxury of default parameters for our functions.

Default Values for Function Parameters in ES6

Array Comprehensions didn't make the ES6 cut. You probably shouldn't use them ;)

See comments.

Array Comprehensions - NON-STANDARD

Block scoping can be surprising, and sometimes confusing, in Javascript. With es6, we have access to the `let` keyword to remove this pain.

The let keyword in ES6

ECMAscript 6 introduces the "arrow function" as a shortcut for creating anonymous functions with `this` scope bound.

Arrow Function => in ES6

Babel is a compiler that lets us right future JavaScript not yet fully in browsers (ES6 / ES2015, ES7 / ES2016, etc) and transpile it back into code that can be used now. We'll walk through installing babel, writing some future JS syntax, transpiling it, and running it in a browser.

**This lesson is out of date and uses an older version of Babel.**

Learning ES6 (ECMAScript 2015)

Joel Hooks

Course Content