Babel is a transpiler or a source-to-source compiler, also referred to as transcompiler, for JavaScript that is capable to modify modern JavaScript ES6 into code that is supported by your browser or server. In layman's language, Babel allows the developers to write source code (ES6) which is then transformed into ideally equivalent new source code that is understood by the browser.
The JavaScript developers use Babel because of its ability to add new features such as presets and plugins to improve coding and boost up performance. Today, there are many websites that offer online coding practice facilities to developers.
Installing and Executing Babel
The fastest and easiest way to install Babel is CLI.
The major steps to install Babel are:
- Install the package using npm.
- Install the babel-cli as dev dependency.
- Make sure to install plugins before running Babel.
- Add the Env preset that selects the relevant plugins depending on the indicated browsers.
- Create the .babelrc configuration file for storing all settings for Babel.
- Perform the build command to finish the compilation process.
- Babel is all ready to use by JavaScript developers.
Babel Ecosystem
JavaScript developers should note it down that your job doesn't finish after installing Babel. It won't start working without proper ecosystem that is needed to transform and modify source codes. Therefore, presets and plugins must be installed to provide Babel a favorable environment to do its job. In order to obtain the desired features and behavior of the transpiler, developers can install the following official presets or plugins.
- Babel-preset-Env - Ideal plugin to be used as it has the ability to automatically load all essential modifications which help in transforming browser compatible codes.
- React preset - This preset is useful for React projects. It transforms source-code adding compatibility with Flow annotations and JSX.
- Flow preset - It polishes up the source code from Flow type annotations.
Benefits of using Babel
Babel is a must-have complier for JavaScript developers. It has tremendous qualities that must be used to create error-free and productive coding. Some of the benefits are:
• Babel can also be used to transform features.
• Provides impressive scope tracking
• Validates Class properties transform
• Permits transforming ES2015+ to previous versions of the language
• Best choice to write modern applications.
• Boost performance and efficient coding technique.
Conclusion
Babel is a must-have compiler for JavaScript developers. It doesn't only transform compatible source code but additionally enables coders to add standard features with the use Babel plugins or presets. This toolkit has helped developers to write modern and fast JavaScript without much trouble.