ECMAScript 2 (ES2), released in 1998, was primarily a maintenance release rather than a version that introduced new language features or significant changes to the ECMAScript (JavaScript) language. Its main purpose was to align the ECMAScript language specification with the ISO/IEC 16262 international standard. This alignment was essential for the broader international adoption and standardization of ECMAScript.
Key Aspects of ECMAScript 2 (ES2)
1. International Standardization
The focus of ES2 was on making the ECMAScript specification compliant with ISO/IEC standards. This effort was more about formalizing the documentation and specification processes rather than adding or changing features within the language itself.
2. Editorial Changes
ES2 included editorial changes for clarity and consistency, ensuring the specification met the rigorous requirements of an ISO standard. These changes did not affect the way developers wrote ECMAScript code but ensured that the language's specification was clearer and more universally understandable.
No New Features or Examples
Given that ES2 did not introduce new programming features, examples from ES1 still applied without changes. The work in ES2 was behind the scenes, ensuring that ECMAScript's foundation was solid and internationally recognized, setting the stage for future enhancements and features that would come in later versions, particularly ECMAScript 3.
Looking Ahead to ECMAScript 3
It's worth noting that ECMAScript 3, which followed ES2, brought significant enhancements and new features to the language. ECMAScript 3 introduced regular expressions, better string handling, new control statements, try/catch error handling, and more. These features had a substantial impact on how developers wrote JavaScript, making the language more powerful and versatile.
While ECMAScript 2 (ES2) might not have introduced new features or examples of usage for developers, its role in the evolution of ECMAScript was crucial. By aligning with international standards, ES2 ensured that ECMAScript had a formal, recognized foundation, paving the way for the language's future growth and adoption across the globe.
