CoffeeScript vs Scala.js
CoffeeScript
coffeescript.orgScala.js
scala-js.orgSide by side
| Figure | CoffeeScript | Scala.js |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 0 | 1 |
| Spec score · Code Transpilers | 7.9 (#11) | 7.6 (#19) |
| Editor support | The integrations page lists CoffeeScript support for code editors including Atom, Emacs, Vim, and Visual Studio Code. | The homepage says editor support catches typos and type errors and provides inline method, argument, return type, and documentation information. |
| Purpose | CoffeeScript is a language that compiles into JavaScript. | Scala.js is a Scala to JavaScript compiler for building applications that run in browsers, Node.js, and serverless environments. |
| 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 documentation directs users to the community for help, including Discord and Stack Overflow. |
Plans
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.
Scala.js
Scala.js is a Scala-to-JavaScript compiler for building applications that run in browsers, Node.js, and serverless environments. The project also states that WebAssembly support is stable. Scala's strong typing can catch mistakes such as mixing strings and numbers or using misspelled method names, while editor support can flag type errors and show inline details about methods, arguments, return types, and documentation. The project describes incremental compilation with a 1–2 second turnaround; generated JavaScript for a full application starts at 45 kB gzipped. Scala.js can use JavaScript libraries and APIs through statically or dynamically typed access. Listed library integrations include React, Angular, Vue, Three.js, and Chart.js. Build tool options include sbt, scala-cli, Mill, and Gradle with a Scala.js plugin. Tutorials list Scala development tools and Node.js as prerequisites and recommend VS Code with Metals. Scala.js is free and distributed under the Apache License 2.0. Documentation points users to community support through Discord and Stack Overflow. The 1.22.0 release is not entirely backward source compatible with 1.21.x.