JavaScript Strict Mode

The fifth edition of the ECMAScript specification introduced Strict Mode. Strict Mode imposes a layer of constraint on JavaScript – intended to protect you from the more perilous aspects of the language.

While researching this article I wrote 38 tests covering all the Strict Mode rules as defined in the ES5 specification. You can see how your favorite browser shapes up by clicking here.

The code for each test is reproduced at the end of the article as an aid to understanding the specification. You can also run the tests manually by copying and pasting the source into the console. The full source code is on my github repo.

Firefox 4 and IE10 (preview 1) already fully support Strict Mode, and Chrome 12 is nearly there. Strict Mode is here to stay – let’s dive in…