Alternatives to JavaScript

Javascript is an almost ubiquitous programming language. In a way, it can be compared to C at the peak of its popularity. You can write anything on it, from beautiful drop-down menus, sliders on your site, to full-fledged applications for servers, mobile, for desktop and even for embedded systems like arduino .

But javascript has its picks. A prototype model of objects, dynamic types, callback functions, all of this, one might say, is an amateur. As a result, alternative languages ​​began to appear, offering their approaches to the implementation of certain concepts. This post lists the most popular alternatives to warm vanilla javascript.


For example, if you want the classic OOP, instead of prototypes, or you want more syntactic sugar, look towards CoffeeScript . If you need strong typing, you might like Dart or TypeScript . By the way, Dart works natively in Google Chrome and on some tests shows a 50% performance increase compared to regular javascript. For lovers of functional programming, ClojureScript or Roy is suitable . There are tons of options, and you are not required to write everything in pure javascript, even if you are developing a frontend for the web or working with node.js.

1. CoffeeScript

CoffeeScript is a small language that translates into Javascript. To rubists, he seems like rubies, to pythonists, he looks like python, and of course, he looks like javascript. CoffeeScript tries to simplify the use of javascript, while retaining all its strengths. GitHub

official website

2. Dart

Dart is an object-oriented language with a complete class system, lexical scopes, closures, and optionally static typing. Dart helps create structured web applications and is easy to learn for a wide range of developers.

Official site
on Habré

3. TypeScript

TypeScript differs from JavaScript in its ability to explicitly define types (static typing), support for the use of full-fledged classes (as in traditional object-oriented languages), and support for connecting modules.

Official site
on Habré

4. ClojureScript

ClojureScript is an extension of the Clojure language, with the ability to compile in Javascript. Reminds Lisp.

Github

5. Opal

Compiler from Ruby to Javascript. GitHub

official website

6. IcedCoffeeScript

IcedCoffeeScript is an add-on for CoffeeScript that simplifies control over asynchronous operations. Instead of callbacks, two new operators are introduced: await and defer. GitHub

official website

7. LiveScript

Another fork from CoffeeScript. Adds support for a functional programming style, and also introduces small improvements to the current OOP model. GitHub

official website

8. Kaffeine

Extends javascript syntax without inventing yet another programming language. Kaffeine code line by line corresponds to the compiled javascript code. This feature should greatly simplify the debugging of the application. GitHub

official website

8. Roy

An experimental programming language that converts code to Javascript. Includes features of static functional languages.

The official
GitHub website

And of course, there is another language, the most important in this family. This, of course, is Javascript itself. Like it or not, it will be executed in the browser. However, for use in large projects, you should look in the direction of Dart (supported by Google) or TypeScript (supported by Microsoft). CoffeeScript has been very popular lately, and using source maps, working with it has become even easier. If you are tired of javascript or want to try something new, you are welcome.

PS. The review was prepared using the Jster.Net javascript library catalog. Now it already has 981 libraries for front-end development.

PS / 2 More alternatives on AltJS website