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JScript .NET

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Mystic Annapurna (talk | contribs) at 12:04, 23 March 2025 (Updated JScript .NET article to reflect its legacy status as of March 23, 2025. Added current support details (tied to .NET Framework 4.8.1 and Windows lifecycle), clarified lack of support in .NET 5+ and ASP.NET Core, and emphasized Microsoft's focus on C#, F#, and Visual Basic. Addressed original research and citation issues with references to Microsoft documentation. Retained historical language comparisons with minor refinements. Resolved update notice from June 2015.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
JScript .NET
Paradigmmulti-paradigm
DeveloperMicrosoft Corporation
Typing disciplineduck, weak, dynamic
Platform.NET Framework
Influenced by
JScript, ECMAScript
JScript .NET
Filename extension
.js

Key Points

  • Research suggests JScript .NET is a legacy language, supported in .NET Framework 4.8.1, tied to Windows OS lifecycle, but not recommended for new projects.
  • It seems likely that Microsoft focuses on C#, F#, and Visual Basic for modern .NET development, with JScript .NET not supported in .NET 5+ or ASP.NET Core.
  • The evidence leans toward JScript .NET being usable on supported Windows versions like Windows 11 (until at least 2031), but it's not actively developed.

Introduction

JScript .NET, once a .NET programming language by Microsoft, is now considered legacy as of March 23, 2025. This update provides a clear, simple overview for editing its Wikipedia article, ensuring it reflects the current status and addresses historical details.

Historical Context

JScript .NET was introduced in 2002 with .NET Framework 1.0, designed for server-side scripting in ASP.NET, compiling to Common Intermediate Language (CIL) for execution on the Common Language Runtime (CLR). Unlike JScript, it required compilation but retained runtime interpretation capabilities. It never gained traction, lacking support in Visual Studio and receiving little attention, though used in ASP.NET.

Current Status

As of 2025, JScript .NET is supported in .NET Framework 4.8.1, tied to the Windows OS lifecycle. On Windows 10, support ends October 14, 2025, but on Windows 11, it extends until at least 2031. However, Microsoft no longer promotes it for new projects, recommending C#, F#, or Visual Basic instead. It's not supported in .NET 5+ or ASP.NET Core, marking it as legacy.

Unexpected Detail

An unexpected detail is that while JScript .NET is obsolete, it may still be found in legacy systems, particularly older ASP.NET applications or Windows environments, though its use is diminishing with the shift to modern frameworks.

Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of JScript .NET's Status and Updates

This section provides a detailed examination of JScript .NET, addressing its historical development, current status, and the implications for updating its Wikipedia article as of March 23, 2025. It encompasses all relevant information to ensure a thorough understanding for editors and readers.

Historical Development and Context

JScript .NET was introduced by Microsoft as an extension of JScript, their implementation of ECMAScript, commonly known as JavaScript. It was designed to integrate with the .NET Framework, allowing scripts to be compiled into Common Intermediate Language (CIL) and executed on the Common Language Runtime (CLR). This marked a shift from JScript's interpreted nature, requiring compilation for JScript .NET, though it retained runtime interpretation features like the eval function.

The language aimed to leverage the .NET Framework's capabilities, moving away from JScript's reliance on ActiveX/COM technologies. Despite this, JScript .NET never achieved widespread adoption, as evidenced by its lack of support in Visual Studio .NET, Microsoft's primary development tool, and minimal media or developer attention. It found some use in ASP.NET for server-side scripting, but this was limited compared to the popularity of C# and Visual Basic .NET.

Language Differences and Comparisons

JScript .NET's design included several distinctive features compared to other languages, which are detailed below for clarity:

Comparison JScript .NET Feature Implication
Vs. C# No main() function required; loose type-checking; no explicit .NET Framework references needed. Easier learning curve, less strict typing, but potentially less robust for large projects.
Vs. C++ No main() function; no explicit type declarations or casts, offering flexibility. Flexible but may lead to runtime errors due to implicit type handling.
Vs. Java Supports untyped variables, runtime property/method additions, and global variables. More dynamic than Java, but less structured, potentially increasing maintenance challenges.
Vs. Older JScript Introduced type annotations (e.g., var x : String); compiled to CIL; access to .NET Framework's Base Class Library. Enhanced functionality over JScript, but compilation requirement added complexity.

These comparisons remain accurate based on historical documentation, as there have been no significant updates to JScript .NET that would alter these distinctions. However, given its legacy status, these differences are less relevant for modern development.

Current Status and Lifecycle

As of March 23, 2025, JScript .NET is classified as a legacy programming language. It is supported only within the .NET Framework up to version 4.8.1, which is tied to the lifecycle of the Windows operating system on which it is installed. According to Microsoft's lifecycle policy, .NET Framework 4.8.1 is supported as long as it is on a supported Windows version, such as Windows 10 (end of support in October 2025) or Windows 11 (extended support until October 2031) Microsoft .NET Framework Lifecycle. This means JScript .NET remains technically functional on these systems, but its support is passive, with no new features or updates.

Importantly, JScript .NET is not supported in .NET 5 and later versions, which are part of the .NET Core family and its successor, .NET. Official documentation for .NET 5 and beyond lists C#, F#, and Visual Basic as the primary supported languages, with no mention of JScript .NET NET Supported Languages. Similarly, ASP.NET Core, the modern evolution of ASP.NET, does not support JScript .NET, focusing instead on C# and other mainstream languages ASP.NET Core Documentation. This shift reflects Microsoft's strategic focus on these languages for new development, rendering JScript .NET obsolete for contemporary projects.

Visual Studio Support

JScript .NET has never been supported in Visual Studio for creating new projects, a fact noted in historical documentation and confirmed by the absence of JScript .NET project templates in current Visual Studio versions. Community discussions and third-party extensions, such as those on GitHub, indicate efforts to add support, but it remains unofficial and not part of Microsoft's development tools GitHub JScript.NET Project. This lack of integration further underscores its legacy status.

Implications for Wikipedia Editing

The Wikipedia article on JScript .NET, as provided, has multiple issues, including possible original research, lack of inline citations, unclear sources, and the need for updates as of June 2015. To address these:

  • Original Research and Citations: All claims must be supported by reliable sources. The updated section on current status uses official Microsoft documentation, such as the .NET Framework lifecycle and supported languages pages, to ensure accuracy and eliminate original research. For example, the statement about support in .NET Framework 4.8.1 is backed by Microsoft .NET Framework Lifecycle, and the lack of support in .NET 5+ is inferred from NET Supported Languages and NET 5 Documentation.
  • Updates: The article needs to reflect that JScript .NET is legacy, not recommended for new projects, and unsupported in modern frameworks. This update ensures the article is current as of 2025, addressing the June 2015 update need. The historical sections on language differences can remain, as they are still accurate, but should be cited where possible to enhance credibility.
  • Clarity and Sources: The lack of inline citations is addressed by adding references to official Microsoft sources, ensuring readers can verify claims. For instance, the comparison with other languages could benefit from citations to Microsoft's JScript .NET documentation, though such specific pages are less recent and may require third-party sources for historical accuracy.

Unexpected Detail: Legacy Use Cases

An unexpected detail is that while JScript .NET is largely obsolete, it may still be found in legacy systems, particularly those using older versions of ASP.NET or Windows applications built on .NET Framework 4.8.1. This is relevant for editors updating the article, as it highlights niche use cases, such as automation scripts in legacy enterprise environments, though these are diminishing with the shift to modern frameworks.

Conclusion

In summary, JScript .NET is a legacy language supported only in .NET Framework 4.8.1, with its lifecycle tied to Windows OS support, but it is not part of modern .NET or ASP.NET Core ecosystems. Editors should update the Wikipedia article to reflect this, ensuring all claims are cited, and remove any outdated or unsupported information. This comprehensive update ensures the article meets Wikipedia's standards and provides value to readers as of March 23, 2025.

Key Citations

  • Microsoft .NET Framework Lifecycle information
  • NET Supported Languages official page
  • NET 5 Documentation overview
  • ASP.NET Core Documentation guide
  • GitHub JScript.NET Project
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