What is the difference between a prototype and a class in JavaScript?

What is the difference between a prototype and a class in JavaScript?

In JavaScript, a prototype is an object from which other objects inherit properties. A class, introduced in ES6, is a syntactical sugar over JavaScript's existing prototype-based inheritance.

Can you explain how inheritance works with prototypes?

Sure! Inheritance with prototypes allows one object to access properties and methods of another object. This is done by setting the prototype of one object to another.

How do classes handle inheritance differently?

Classes use the extends keyword to create a subclass, making inheritance more straightforward and easier to understand compared to prototypes.

Are there any performance differences between using prototypes and classes?

Generally, there are no significant performance differences. However, classes can be more optimized by JavaScript engines due to their clearer structure.

Which one should I use in my project?

It depends on your project needs. If you prefer a more traditional OOP approach, use classes. If you want to leverage JavaScript's flexibility, prototypes are great.