Common JS and ES(ECMAScript) Modules are two different ways of organizing and sharing JavaScript code. Here's a breakdown of their key differences:

CommonJS

• Synchronous loading: Modules are loaded and executed in order, blocking the execution of the rest of the code until the module is fully loaded.

• require() and module.exports: Used for importing and exporting modules.

• Dynamic imports: Can be used to load modules conditionally at runtime.

• Primarily used in Node.js: Was the original module system for Node.js.

ES Modules

• Asynchronous loading: Modules can be loaded in parallel, improving performance.

• import and export: Used for importing and exporting modules, with a more declarative syntax.

• Static analysis: Imports and exports can be analyzed before runtime, enabling optimizations like tree shaking (removing unused code).

• Native browser support: Supported in modern browsers.

Different ways to configure Common JS modules

• Files with a .js extension when the nearest parent package.json file doesn't contain a top-level field "type"

• Files with a .js extension when the nearest parent package.json file contains a top-level field "type" with a value of "commonjs".

    //package.json
  
    "type":"commonjs"
  

• Files with .cjs extension. Eg. user.cjs

Different ways to configure ECMAScript modules

• Files with .js extension when the nearest parent package.json file contains a top-level field "type" with a value of "module".

• Files with .mjs extension. Eg. user.mjs

Why was ES6 special and highlighted?

You're right to notice that JavaScript has continued to evolve beyond ES6! While ES6 (ECMAScript 2015) was a major milestone, subsequent versions like ES11 and ES13 have introduced even more features and improvements.

Here's why ES6 still holds a special place and is often specifically highlighted:

• A Fundamental Shift: ES6 was a game-changer. It brought in a wealth of new features that significantly altered how JavaScript code is written, including:

  • let and const: Improved variable scoping and immutability.

  • Arrow functions: More concise function syntax and better this handling.

  • Template literals: Easier string manipulation and interpolation.

  • Classes: A more familiar syntax for object-oriented programming.

  • Modules: Native support for organizing and sharing code.

  • Promises: A cleaner way to handle asynchronous operations.

• Widely Adopted and Supported: ES6 features have been thoroughly integrated into browsers and JavaScript environments. This means that code written with ES6 is generally well-supported and can be used in a wide range of projects.

• Foundation for Later Versions: ES6 laid the groundwork for many of the features introduced in later versions. Understanding ES6 is crucial for grasping the concepts and syntax of more recent JavaScript updates.

• Learning Curve: For many developers, ES6 represented a significant leap in JavaScript development. It introduced new concepts and syntax that required time and effort to learn. This is why it's often emphasized in learning materials and discussions.