CoffeeScript vs Fable
CoffeeScript
coffeescript.org
Fable
fable.ioSide by side
| Figure | CoffeeScript | Fable |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 0 | 0 |
| Spec score · Code Transpilers | 7.9 (#11) | 7.3 (#22) |
| Compatibility limit | JSX output always requires transpilation, and CoffeeScript says users are responsible for ensuring their runtime supports the modern features they use or transpiling the output. | Not all NuGet packages work with Fable; the documentation advises checking whether each library is Fable-compatible. |
| Editor support | The integrations page lists CoffeeScript support for code editors including Atom, Emacs, Vim, and Visual Studio Code. | The official site names Visual Studio Code and JetBrains Rider among the editors usable with Fable. |
| Language features | CoffeeScript 2 includes async function and JSX syntax support. | The site highlights F# features including immutability by default, pattern matching, units of measure, and type providers. |
| Support | The maker directs bug reports, feature proposals, and ideas to its GitHub issues page and identifies a mailing list as a place to ask questions. | The project repository accepts bug reports and feature requests, and notes that maintainers do not check its Gitter chat regularly. |
In their own words
CoffeeScript
CoffeeScript is a language that compiles to JavaScript, so its output runs without a CoffeeScript interpreter. It can use existing JavaScript libraries, and JavaScript can use libraries written in CoffeeScript. Version 2 produces modern JavaScript syntax, including classes and arrow functions, and supports async functions and JSX. The `coffee` command runs scripts, compiles `.coffee` files to `.js`, and opens an interactive REPL; it can also generate inline or external source maps. Install it through npm, globally or as a project dependency. The core compiler can run in a browser or another JavaScript environment, while the command-line utility requires Node 6 or later. Its Node API compiles CoffeeScript strings and can return source maps or an abstract syntax tree. Babel transpilation is available when `@babel/core` is installed. The integrations section links to build tools, editors, frameworks, linters, formatters, and testing resources. JSX output always needs transpilation, and users must ensure their runtime supports the modern features they use or transpile the result. CoffeeScript is free and open source.