JavaScript Use Strict
In JavaScript, "use strict"; is a directive that enables a strict mode of interpretation for the code. When you include "use strict"; at the beginning of a script or function, it tells the JavaScript engine to execute the code in strict mode.
The "use strict" Directive
The "use strict" directive was new in ECMAScript version 5.
It is not a statement, but a literal expression, ignored by earlier versions of JavaScript.
The purpose of "use strict" is to indicate that the code should be executed in "strict mode".
Strict mode is declared by adding "use strict"; to the beginning of a script or a function.
Declared at the beginning of a script, it has global scope (all code in the script will execute in strict mode):
Example
"use strict";
x = 3.14; // This will cause an error because x is not declared
Why Strict Mode?
Strict mode makes it easier to write "secure" JavaScript.
Strict mode changes previously accepted "bad syntax" into real errors.
As an example, 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.
In normal JavaScript, a developer will not receive any error feedback assigning values to non-writable properties.
In strict mode, any assignment to a non-writable property, a getter-only property, a non-existing property, a non-existing variable, or a non-existing object, will throw an error.