What's the syntax difference of JavaScript between node.js and browsers?

Question

Browsers support JavaScript, and Node.js supports it too. I want to know if there any syntax difference between them?

Strictly speaking, syntax are technically just rules how the tokens can be and those should be the same for everything that claims to be ECMAScript. But some people (especially those who aren't up to their knees in compiler technology) also include how typical usage of the major APIs looks like (on a higher level) in "syntax". Which one are you talking about? — user395760
– user395760, Commented Sep 13, 2011 at 17:15

user113716 · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-13 18:09:19Z

14

Node uses Google V8, which implements the ECMAScript standard (link to non official annotated copy).

How it differs from browsers will depend on which browser (and version) you're talking about.

For example, Mozilla browsers implement JavaScript (which is an implementation and superset of ECMAScript).

JavaScript includes:

for each - in loops
destructuring assignment
let expressions
array comprehensions

...among other enhancements that utilize non ECMAScript standard syntax. These are all part of JavaScript, but not currently part of the ECMAScript standard.

(Of the 4 items listed, the last 3 are proposals for the next ECMAScript version.)

edited Sep 13, 2011 at 18:09

answered Sep 13, 2011 at 17:12

user113716

323k64 gold badges454 silver badges441 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

9 Comments

Raynos Over a year ago

More specifically it implements versions of V8

user113716 Over a year ago

@Raynos: Thanks, I just caught that flub. :)

Ryan Olds Over a year ago

If he really needs DOM functionally in Node.JS he can use github.com/tmpvar/jsdom (GH is having issue atm).

Raynos Over a year ago

More specifically node 0.4.9-0.4.11 use V8 3.1.8.25

Raynos Over a year ago

@patrick_dw the distinction is worth illustration, I'd just recommend mentioning that JavaScript is mozillas implementation and not an alternative word for ECMAScript.

|

Craig · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-13 17:15:04Z

8

No. The Syntax is exactly the same. There are differences in the apis however. The standard browser dom is not available in node but it has additional apis found at nodejs.org. Any syntax differences are due to quirks in browsers.

answered Sep 13, 2011 at 17:15

Craig

7,7314 gold badges31 silver badges47 bronze badges

Comments

shesek · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-13 17:15:37Z

1

No. The syntax is exatcly the same, but you're working it provides with different environment - for example, you don't have DOM and have API for file system access and sockets.

answered Sep 13, 2011 at 17:15

shesek

4,7001 gold badge30 silver badges27 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

What's the syntax difference of JavaScript between node.js and browsers?

3 Answers 3

9 Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

3 Answers 3

9 Comments

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related