3.4 Babel

• Babel Home

"Babel is a JavaScript compiler"

Babel is a toolchain that is mainly used to convert ECMAScript 2015+ code into a backwards compatible version of JavaScript in current and older browsers or environments.

Babel:

• transforms syntax
• polyfills missing features in a target environment
• transforms source code

Babel has support for the latest version of JavaScript through syntax transformers. These plugins allow you to use new syntax, right now without waiting for browser support.

Babel can convert JSX syntax! Check out our React preset to get started.

Babel can strip out type annotations! Check out either our Flow preset or TypeScript preset to get started.

Babel is built out of plugins. A plugin is just a function. Compose your own transformation pipeline using existing plugins or write your own. Easily use a set of plugins by using or creating a preset.