What are ES6 classes and how do I use them?

What are ES6 classes and how do I use them in my JavaScript code?

ES6 classes are a syntactical sugar over JavaScript's existing prototype-based inheritance. They provide a clearer and more concise way to create objects and handle inheritance.

Can you show me a simple example of how to define a class?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

class Animal {
    constructor(name) {
        this.name = name;
    }
    speak() {
        console.log(`${this.name} makes a noise.`);
    }
}

const dog = new Animal('Dog');
dog.speak(); // Dog makes a noise.

How do I extend a class in ES6?

You can extend a class using the extends keyword. Here's an example:

class Dog extends Animal {
    speak() {
        console.log(`${this.name} barks.`);
    }
}

const dog = new Dog('Rex');
dog.speak(); // Rex barks.

What are the benefits of using classes over functions?

Classes provide a clearer structure for your code, support inheritance, and make it easier to create multiple instances with shared methods.