Strict mode in JavaScript

Strict Mode is a new feature in ECMAScript 5 that allows you to place a program, or a function, in a “strict” operating context. This strict context prevents certain actions from being taken and throws more exceptions. The statement “use strict”; instructs the browser to use the Strict mode, which is a reduced and safer feature set of JavaScript.

Benifits of using ‘use strict’
Strict mode makes several changes to normal JavaScript semantics.

Strict mode eliminates some JavaScript silent errors by changing them to throw errors.
Strict mode fixes mistakes that make it difficult for JavaScript engines to perform optimizations: strict mode code can sometimes be made to run faster than identical code that’s not strict mode.
Strict mode prohibits some syntax likely to be defined in future versions of ECMAScript.
It prevents, or throws errors, when relatively “unsafe” actions are taken (such as gaining access to the global object).
It disables features that are confusing or poorly thought out.
Strict mode makes it easier to write “secure” JavaScript.

How to use strict mode
Strict mode can be used in two ways – used in global scope for the entire script and can be applied to individual functions. Strict mode doesn’t work with block statements enclosed in {} braces.

Using Strict mode for the entire script
To invoke strict mode for an entire script, put the exact statement “use strict”; (or ‘use strict’;) before any other statements.

// Whole-script strict mode syntax
'use strict';
 let v = "strict mode script!";

NOTE: This syntax has a flow : it isn’t possible to blindly concatenate non-conflicting scripts. Consider concatenating a strict mode script with a non-strict mode script: the entire concatenation looks strict! The inverse is also true: non-strict plus strict looks non-strict. Concatenation of strict mode scripts with each other is fine, and concatenation of non-strict mode scripts is fine. Only concatenating strict and non-strict scripts is problematic. It is thus recommended that you enable strict mode on a function-by-function basis (at least during the transition period).

Using Strict mode for the entire script
Likewise, to invoke strict mode for a function, put the exact statement “use strict”; (or ‘use strict’;) in the function’s body before any other statements.

function strict() {

  // Function-level strict mode syntax
  'use strict';

  function nested() { return 'Javascript on GeeksforGeeks'; }

  return "strict mode function!  " + nested();
}
function notStrict() { return "non strict function"; }

Examples of using Strict mode

In normal JavaScript, mistyping a variable name creates a new global variable. In strict mode, this will throw an error, making it impossible to accidentally create a global variable
Using strict mode, don’t allow to use a variable without declaring it

// Using a variable, without declaring it, is not allowed: 
'use strict'; 
 x = 3.14;  // will throw an error 

Output:

// Objects are variables too. 
// Using an object, without declaring it, is not allowed: 
'use script'; 
  x = {p1:10, p2:20}; // will throw an error 

Output:

Deleting a variable (or object) and a function is not allowed

'use strict'; 
 let x = 3.14; 
  
// Deleting a function is also not allowed 
'use strict'; 
 function x(p1, p2) {};  
 delete x;     // will throw an error  

Output:

Duplicating a parameter name is not allowed

'use strict'; 
 function x(p1, p1) {};   // will throw an error 

Output:

Octal numeric literals are not allowed

'use strict'; 
 let x = 010;       // will throw an error 

Output:

Escape characters are not allowed

'use strict'; 
 let x = \010;     // will throw an error 

Output:

Writing to a read-only property is not allowed

'use strict'; 
 let obj = {}; 
 Object.defineProperty(obj, "x", {value:0, writable:false}); 
  
 obj.x = 3.14;     //will throw an error 

Output:

Writing to a get-only property is not allowed

'use strict'; 
 let obj = {get x() {return 0} }; 
  
 obj.x = 3.14;     // will throw an error 

Output:

Deleting an undeletable property is not allowed

'use strict'; 
 delete Object.prototype; // will throw an error 

Output:

The string “eval” cannot be used as a variable

'use strict'; 
 let eval = 3.14;  // will throw an error 

Output:

The string “arguments” cannot be used as a variable

'use strict'; 
 let arguments = 3.14;    // will throw an error 

Output:

The with statement is not allowed

'use strict'; 
 with (Math){x = cos(2)}; // will throw an error 

Output:

In function calls like f(), the this value was the global object. In strict mode, it is now undefined
In normal JavaScript, a developer will not receive any error feedback assigning values to non-writable properties

My Personal Notes

Nov	DEC	Jan
	07
2018	2019	2020

Recommended Posts: