Loading Developer Playground

Loading ...

Skip to main content
JavaScriptβ€’
17 min read

Modern JavaScript: ES6+ Features Every Developer Should Know (2025)

Master modern JavaScript with this comprehensive ES6+ guide. Learn arrow functions, destructuring, async/await, modules, and more with practical examples.

halfAccessible Team
β€’

Introduction

JavaScript has evolved dramatically since ES6 (ECMAScript 2015). Modern JavaScript is cleaner, more powerful, and easier to work with than ever before. Whether you're learning JavaScript for the first time or updating from older syntax, mastering ES6+ features is essential for professional development.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn the most important modern JavaScript features with practical examples you can use immediately. From arrow functions to async/await, you'll discover how to write cleaner, more efficient code.

Keep your code clean: Use our JavaScript Formatter to beautify and organize your code as you learn. It's free, instant, and works offline!


Let, Const, and Block Scope

Say goodbye to var and its confusing scoping rules.

The Problem with var

javascript

Use let for Variables

javascript

Use const for Constants

javascript

🎯 Best Practice: Use const by default, let when you need to reassign, never use var.

Format your code: JavaScript Formatter


Arrow Functions

Shorter, cleaner function syntax.

Basic Syntax

javascript

Arrow Functions in Array Methods

javascript

this Binding Difference

javascript

Template Literals

String interpolation and multi-line strings made easy.

String Interpolation

javascript

Multi-line Strings

javascript

Tagged Templates

javascript

Destructuring

Extract values from arrays and objects elegantly.

Object Destructuring

javascript

Array Destructuring

javascript

Function Parameter Destructuring

javascript

Spread and Rest Operators

The ... operator is incredibly versatile.

Spread Operator

javascript

Rest Operator

javascript

Promises and Async/Await

Modern asynchronous JavaScript.

Promises Basics

javascript

Async/Await (Cleaner!)

javascript

Parallel Async Operations

javascript

⚠️ Important: Always wrap await in try-catch blocks to handle errors gracefully!

Format async code: JavaScript Formatter


Modules (Import/Export)

Organize code across files.

Named Exports

javascript

Default Exports

javascript

Dynamic Imports

javascript

Optional Chaining and Nullish Coalescing

Safe property access and default values.

Optional Chaining (?.)

javascript

Nullish Coalescing (??)

javascript

Combined Power

javascript

Array Methods: Map, Filter, Reduce

Functional programming essentials.

Map: Transform Each Element

javascript

Filter: Select Elements

javascript

Reduce: Combine Elements

javascript

Chaining Methods

javascript

Classes

Object-oriented programming in JavaScript.

Class Basics

javascript

Inheritance

javascript

Other Modern Features

Object Shorthand

javascript

Array Includes

javascript

String Methods

javascript

Object.entries/keys/values

javascript

Performance Tips

Avoid Common Pitfalls

javascript

Use Built-in Methods

javascript

Minify for production: JavaScript Minifier


Conclusion

Modern JavaScript (ES6+) makes your code cleaner, more readable, and more maintainable. From arrow functions to async/await, these features are now standard across all modern browsers and essential for professional development.

Key Takeaways:

  • Use const and let, never var
  • Embrace arrow functions for cleaner code
  • Master async/await for asynchronous operations
  • Use destructuring to extract values elegantly
  • Chain array methods (map, filter, reduce) for data transformation
  • Optional chaining (?.) and nullish coalescing (??) prevent errors

Keep learning: The JavaScript ecosystem evolves constantly. Stay updated with new features and best practices. Bookmark our JavaScript Formatter to keep your code clean and consistent!

What will you build with modern JavaScript? Whether it's a web app, API, or npm package, you now have the tools to write professional, modern code!


Write better JavaScript with these free tools:

All tools are 100% free, require no signup, and respect your privacy.

Further Reading


Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use var, let, or const?

Use const by default for values that won't be reassigned. Use let when you need to reassign variables. Never use varβ€”it has confusing scoping rules and is considered outdated.

When should I use arrow functions vs regular functions?

Use arrow functions for most cases, especially callbacks and short functions. Use regular functions when you need dynamic this binding (like object methods) or when you need to use arguments object.

What's the difference between Promise and async/await?

Async/await is syntactic sugar built on top of Promises. It makes asynchronous code look synchronous and is easier to read. Under the hood, async functions return Promises, and await pauses execution until the Promise resolves.

How do I format my JavaScript code consistently?

Use our JavaScript Formatter for instant formatting, or set up ESLint + Prettier in your project for automatic formatting on save.

Are these features supported in all browsers?

All ES6+ features covered here are supported in modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). For older browser support, use Babel to transpile your code to ES5.


Happy coding! πŸš€

Master modern JavaScript one feature at a time. Keep our JavaScript Formatter handy for clean, consistent code!

Related Articles