What is the difference between JavaScript, Vanilla JavaScript, and ECMAScript?

JavaScript, Vanilla JavaScript, and ECMAScript are related but distinct terms that are often used interchangeably but have different meanings:

• JavaScript: JavaScript is a high-level programming language that is used to create interactive and dynamic web content. It is a scripting language that is used to add interactivity and functionality to web pages and applications.

• As a beginner, you might think of JavaScript as the main programming language that is used to create dynamic and interactive web content. When you see interactive web pages with animations, pop-up windows, and other dynamic features, chances are that JavaScript is involved. JavaScript is a language that has been around for more than 20 years and has evolved over time to become a popular choice for web developers.

• Vanilla JavaScript: Vanilla JavaScript refers to plain or pure JavaScript code that is written without the use of any additional libraries or frameworks. It is simply the core JavaScript language itself, without any additional abstractions or syntactic sugar provided by libraries or frameworks.

• As a beginner, you might think of Vanilla JavaScript as the "pure" form of JavaScript, without any external dependencies. When you write code in Vanilla JavaScript, you are using the core JavaScript language itself, without any additional libraries or frameworks to help you. This can be a good way to learn the language more deeply and to gain a better understanding of how the language works "under the hood."

• ECMAScript: ECMAScript is a standardized scripting language that is used to define the specifications for the JavaScript language. It is a language standard that defines the syntax and semantics of the JavaScript language and provides the core objects, functions, and features that are available to developers when working with JavaScript.

• As a beginner, you might think of ECMAScript as the set of rules and standards that govern the JavaScript language. The ECMAScript specification defines how the JavaScript language should be written and interpreted by browsers and other environments. This standardization helps to ensure that JavaScript code works consistently across different platforms and devices. As a beginner, you might not need to worry too much about the specifics of ECMAScript, but it's helpful to know that it exists as a standard that guides the development of the JavaScript language.

• In short, JavaScript is the general-purpose programming language used to create interactive and dynamic web content, while Vanilla JavaScript is a term used to refer to code written in pure JavaScript without any additional libraries or frameworks. ECMAScript, on the other hand, is a standardized specification that defines the syntax and features of the JavaScript language itself. In practice, these terms are often used interchangeably to refer to the same thing, which is the use of JavaScript in web development.

• Overall, JavaScript, Vanilla JavaScript, and ECMAScript are all related to the development of web applications using the JavaScript language, but they represent different aspects of the language and its ecosystem. As a beginner, focusing on learning the basics of JavaScript itself is a good place to start, and you can gradually learn more about the nuances of Vanilla JavaScript and ECMAScript as you gain more experience.