Strict Mode

Strict mode is a way to introduce better error-checking into your code. When you use strict mode, you cannot, for example, use implicitly declared variables, or assign a value to a read-only property, or add a property to an object that is not extensible. The restrictions are listed in the Restrictions on Code in Strict Mode section later in this topic.

Caution
Strict mode is not supported in versions of Internet Explorer earlier than Internet Explorer 10.

Declaring Strict Mode

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You can declare strict mode by adding "use strict"; at the beginning of a file, a program, or a function. This kind of declaration is known as a directive prologue. The scope of a strict mode declaration depends on its context. If it is declared in a global context (outside the scope of a function), all the code in the program is in strict mode. If it is declared in a function, all the code in the function is in strict mode. For example, in the following example all the code is in strict mode, and the variable declaration outside the function causes the syntax error "Variable undefined in strict mode."

JavaScript

"use strict";
function testFunction(){
    var testvar = 4;
    return testvar;
}

// This causes a syntax error.
testvar = 5;

In the following example, only the code inside testFunction is in strict mode. The variable declaration outside the function does not cause a syntax error, but the declaration inside the function does.

JavaScript

function testFunction(){
    "use strict";
    // This causes a syntax error.
    testvar = 4;
    return testvar;
}
testvar = 5;

Restrictions on Code in Strict Mode

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The following table lists the most important restrictions that apply in strict mode.

Language element	Restriction	Error	Example
Variable	Using a variable without declaring it.	SCRIPT5042: Variable undefined in strict mode	JavaScript testvar = 4;
Read-only property	Writing to a read-only property.	SCRIPT5045: Assignment to read-only properties is not allowed in strict mode	JavaScript var testObj = Object.defineProperties({}, { prop1: { value: 10, writable: false // by default }, prop2: { get: function () { } } }); testObj.prop1 = 20; testObj.prop2 = 30;
Non-extensible property	Adding a property to an object whoseextensibleattribute is set tofalse.	SCRIPT5046: Cannot create property for a non-extensible object	JavaScript var testObj = new Object(); Object.preventExtensions(testObj); testObj.name = "Bob";
delete	Deleting a variable, a function, or an argument. Deleting a property whoseconfigurableattribute is set tofalse.	SCRIPT1045: Calling delete on is not allowed in strict mode	JavaScript var testvar = 15; function testFunc() {}; delete testvar; delete testFunc; Object.defineProperty(testObj, "testvar", { value: 10, configurable: false }); delete testObj.testvar;
Duplicating a property	Defining a property more than once in an object literal.	SCRIPT1046: Multiple definitions of a property not allowed in strict mode	JavaScript var testObj = { prop1: 10, prop2: 15, prop1: 20 };
Duplicating a parameter name	Using a parameter name more than once in a function.	SCRIPT1038: Duplicate formal parameter names not allowed in strict mode	JavaScript function testFunc(param1, param1) { return 1; };
Future reserved keywords	Using a future reserved keyword as a variable or function name.	SCRIPT1050: The use of a future reserved word for an identifier is invalid. The identifier name is reserved in strict mode.	implements interface let package private protected public static yield
Octals	Assigning an octal value to a numeric literal, or attempting to use an escape on an octal value.	SCRIPT1039: Octal numeric literals and escape characters not allowed in strict mode	JavaScript var testoctal = 010; var testescape = \010;
this	The value of thisis not converted to the global object when it isnull orundefined.		JavaScript function testFunc() { return this; } var testvar = testFunc(); In non-strict mode, the value of testvar is the global object, but in strict mode the value is undefined.
eval as an identifier	The string "eval" cannot be used as an identifier (variable or function name, parameter name, and so on).		JavaScript var eval = 10;
Function declared inside a statement or a block	You cannot declare a function inside a statement or a block.	SCRIPT1047: In strict mode, function declarations cannot be nested inside a statement or block. They may only appear at the top level or directly inside a function body.	JScript var arr = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; var index = null; for (index in arr) { function myFunc() {}; }
Variable declared inside an evalfunction	If a variable is declared inside an evalfunction, it cannot be used outside that function.	SCRIPT1041: Invalid usage of 'eval' in strict mode	JavaScript eval_r("var testvar = 10"); testvar = 15; Indirect evaluation is possible, but you still cannot use a variable declared outside the eval function. JavaScript var indirectEval = eval; indirecteval_r("var testvar = 10;"); document.write(testVar); This code causes an error SCRIPT5009: 'testVar' is undefined.
Arguments as an identifier	The string "arguments" cannot be used as an identifier (variable or function name, parameter name, and so on).	SCRIPT1042: Invalid usage of 'arguments' in strict mode	JavaScript var arguments = 10;
arguments inside a function	You cannot change the values of members of the local argumentsobject.		JavaScript function testArgs(oneArg) { arguments[0] = 20; } In non-strict mode, you can change the value of the oneArgparameter by changing the value of arguments[0], so that the value of both oneArg and arguments[0] is 20. In strict mode, changing the value of arguments[0] does not affect the value ofoneArg, because the arguments object is merely a local copy.
arguments.callee	Not allowed.		JavaScript function (testInt) { if (testInt-- == 0) return; arguments.callee(testInt--); }
with	Not allowed.	SCRIPT1037: 'with' statements are not allowed in strict mode	JavaScript with (Math){ x = cos(3); y = tan(7); }