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Why JavaScript Has Quirks (And Why TC39 Can't Fix Them)

TL;DR: JavaScript has notorious quirks because it was designed in just ten days as a prototype to help Netscape survive the early browser wars.

  • JavaScript's quirks arise from hurried 1995 design to aid Netscape in browser wars.
  • Backward compatibility principle locks in legacy behaviors despite flaws.
  • Modern JavaScript ecosystem uses opt-in APIs to bypass original quirks.

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