CoffeeScript
ECMAScript-inspired · 2009Actively developedIndentation-based syntax that compiles to JavaScript.
Procedural · Functional · Object-oriented
Links
- Homepage
- https://coffeescript.org/
- Reference / standard
- https://coffeescript.org/
- Wikipedia (English)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CoffeeScript
Tracked release
- Version
- 2.7.0
- Artifact
- Compiler release
- Published
- 2022-04-23
- Source checked
- 2026-10-22
Use & ecosystem
- Suited for
- Web backends, Frontend UIs
- Family / tradition
- Dynamic scripting, ECMAScript
- Maturity
- Stable niche
- Ecosystem breadth
- Limited
A stable compiler and substantial historical use support Stable niche. Its current dedicated ecosystem is limited; JavaScript package access is not evidence of broad CoffeeScript-specific adoption.
Industry & practical use
Maintaining existing web applications is its clearest use. For new projects, weigh the compilation layer and small community against JavaScript or TypeScript.
Compilers, libraries & tooling
The compiler emits JavaScript and can use its modules and packages. Deployment depends on the generated target environment.
Platforms & deployment
- General toolchains
- Linux, Windows, macOS, Browser
- Specialized tooling
- None catalogued
- Browser execution
- JavaScript
- Native cross-compilation
- Not the usual deployment model
Generated JavaScript runs in browsers or a suitable server runtime. Host APIs remain environment-specific.
JavaScript output is deployed with a browser or runtime; it is not native cross-compilation.
Project health & support
The compiler is relatively settled. Low release frequency alone does not prove abandonment, or establish substantial ongoing investment.
Use, ecosystem & platform assessment reviewed 2026-10-22 · Sources below
History & origin
Jeremy Ashkenas introduced CoffeeScript in 2009. Several conveniences it popularized later appeared in JavaScript, reducing the need for a separate syntax layer in many projects.
- Creators
- Jeremy Ashkenas
- Origin
- 2009 — First public release.
Influences & descendants
Influenced by
Influenced in this catalogue
- No linked entries yet.
Language features
- Typing
- Dynamic
- Execution
- Transpiled
- Block structure
- Significant indentation
- Semicolons
- Optional
- Lexical closures
- Yes
- Namespaced modules
- Partial
- Pattern matching
- Partial
- Macro system
- No built-in macro system
Implementation notes
- Destructuring is supported, but not a general structural match construct. Namespace support follows the JavaScript module environment.
Sources & references
- Project overview
- https://coffeescript.org/
- Language / implementation reference
- https://coffeescript.org/
Use, ecosystem & platform sources
- Project overview
- https://coffeescript.org/
- Language / implementation reference
- https://coffeescript.org/
See the classification definitions for implementation-dependent features. Influence links cover the entries documented here.