JavaScript modes

  • Release version: Xanadu
  • Updated August 1, 2024
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of JavaScript Modes

    JavaScript modes are design and runtime settings that determine the features available for custom applications and scripts. There are three modes: ECMAScript 2021 (ES12), ES5 Standards, and Compatibility. The default mode for new scoped applications is ECMAScript 2021 (ES12), while new global applications default to ES5 Standards.

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    Key Features

    • ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) Mode: This is the default for new scoped applications and supports modern JavaScript features such as default function parameters, rest parameters, and optional chaining.
    • ES5 Standards Mode: Default for global applications, this mode supports ECMAScript 5 syntax like "use strict" declarations and additional object control methods.
    • Compatibility Mode: Designed for legacy scripts, this mode allows for basic JSON operations but does not support third-party libraries.

    Key Outcomes

    Switching JavaScript modes can significantly impact the behavior of existing scripts. It is crucial for ServiceNow customers to understand the implications of changing modes and to review potential behavior changes before making adjustments. This understanding enables the effective use of ECMAScript features in applications, enhancing script functionality and performance.

    JavaScript mode is a design and runtime setting for custom applications and scripts. To support existing server-side scripts and new scripts developed to the ECMAScript 2021 standard, the JavaScript engine has three modes: ECMAScript 2021 (ES12), ES5 Standards, and Compatibility.

    The JavaScript mode controls which JavaScript features you have access to in an application or script. The default mode for new scoped applications is ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) and for new global applications, it’s ES5 Standards. You can also turn on ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) mode for individual scripts in applications that use ES5 Standards or Compatibility mode.

    For more information about features supported by the ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) and ES5 Standards modes, see JavaScript engine feature support.

    ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) mode

    ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) mode is the default mode when you create new scoped applications. When you create new scripts, ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) mode is turned on by default regardless of the JavaScript mode configured for the application. This mode doesn’t preserve the legacy behaviors in the pre-Tokyo JavaScript engine or work with global scripts.

    ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) mode supports a subset of ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) and ECMAScript 2022 (ES13) syntax and features, including the following features:
    • Default function parameters
    • Rest parameters
    • For-of loops
    • Template literals
    • Destructuring
      • Declarations
      • Assignment
      • Parameters
    • Const declaration
    • Let declaration
    • Arrow functions
    • Class declarations
    • Map set
    • Optional chaining operator (?.)

    To learn about specific ECMAScript 2021 (ES12) features, see the Let's Learn ECMAScript 2021 videos on the ServiceNow Dev Program YouTube channel.

    ES5 Standards mode

    ES5 Standards mode is the default mode for global applications and is an option for scoped applications. This mode doesn’t preserve the legacy behaviors in the pre-Helsinki JavaScript engine.

    ES5 standards mode supports ECMAScript5 syntax and features, including the following features:
    • The "use strict" declaration
    • Control over extensibility of objects
    • Get and set properties on objects (accessors)
    • Control over writability, configurability, and enumerability of object properties
    • New Array and Date methods
    • Native JSON support
    • Support for modern third-party libraries such as lodash.js and moment.js

    Compatibility mode

    Compatibility mode is used for all scripts developed prior to the addition of ES5 Standards mode. Compatibility mode has some differences from the previous JavaScript engine.

    JSON support changes:
    • JSON.stringify() and JSON.parse() are implemented using the ES5 Native JSON object.
    • The new JSON().encode() and new JSON().decode() are still supported, but should only be used when the legacy behavior is required.

    The use of third-party JavaScript libraries isn’t supported in Compatibility mode.