Is Learning ECMAScript Necessary for Mastering JavaScript?

Yeah, ECMAScript and JavaScript are basically the same thing! ECMAScript is the formal name, but most people just call it JavaScript. The main thing to remember is that ECMAScript is the official specification, while JavaScript is the implementation that most developers use.

If you have plans to create your own JavaScript engine, then sure, go ahead and study ECMAScript! But for most developers, especially those just starting out or building applications, sticking with JavaScript will give you practical skills without getting lost in complex specifications. Keep your learning experience enjoyable and balanced!

It's true that while ECMAScript is the standard everyone refers to, you don’t need to get bogged down in it unless you're really into the nitty-gritty of how the language works. For everyday app development, focusing on JavaScript and how it functions in practice will be way more beneficial. Save the deep dive into ECMAScript for later when you want to understand more of the technical details.