This is an experimental technology, part of the ECMAScript 6 (Harmony) proposal.
Because this technology's specification has not stabilized, check the compatibility table for usage in various browsers. Also note that the syntax and behavior of an experimental technology is subject to change in future version of browsers as the spec changes.
The class declaration creates a new class with a given name using prototype-based inheritance.
You can also define a class using a class expression.
Syntax
class name [extends] { // class body }
Description
Just like with class expressions, the class body of a class declaration is executed in strict mode.
Class declarations are not hoisted (unlike function declarations).
Examples
A simple class declaration
In the following example, we first define a class named Polygon, then extend it to create a class named Square. Note that super(), used in the constructor, can only be used in constructors and must be called before the this keyword can be used.
class Polygon { constructor(height, width) { this.name = 'Polygon'; this.height = height; this.width = width; } } class Square extends Polygon { constructor(length) { super(length, length); this.name = 'Square'; } }
Specifications
Specification | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
ECMAScript 6 (ECMA-262) The definition of 'Class definitions' in that specification. |
Release Candidate | Initial definition. |
Browser compatibility
Feature | Chrome | Firefox (Gecko) | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic support | 42.0 | Available in the Nightly channel only (since February 2015) | ? | ? | ? |
Array subclassing | 43.0 | Not supported | ? | ? | ? |
Feature | Android | Chrome for Android | Firefox Mobile (Gecko) | IE Mobile | Opera Mobile | Safari Mobile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Basic support | ? | 42.0 | Available in the Nightly channel only (since February 2015) | ? | ? | ? |
Array subclassing | ? | 43.0 | Not supported | ? | ? | ? |