What is the history of IIFE in JavaScript?

What is the history of IIFE in JavaScript?

IIFE stands for Immediately Invoked Function Expression. It was introduced in JavaScript to create a new scope and avoid polluting the global namespace. This pattern became popular in the early 2000s with the rise of JavaScript frameworks.

Why was it important to avoid polluting the global namespace?

Polluting the global namespace can lead to conflicts between variable names and functions, especially in larger applications. IIFEs help encapsulate code, making it modular and reducing the risk of such conflicts.

Can you give me an example of an IIFE?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

(function() {
    console.log('This is an IIFE!');
})();

This function runs immediately after it's defined.

How has the use of IIFE changed with modern JavaScript?

With the introduction of ES6 modules, the need for IIFEs has decreased. Modules provide a cleaner way to encapsulate code and manage dependencies.