Why ES6 introduced classes yet `Symbol` not to be used with `new`?

[Rick Waldron]

All of the recorded discussion can be found here:

-
https://github.com/rwaldron/tc39-notes/blob/master/es6/2013-03/mar-14.md#46-symbols
-
https://github.com/rwaldron/tc39-notes/blob/master/es6/2013-09/sept-18.md#44-symbols





On Mon, Aug 15, 2016 at 4:29 AM Andrea Giammarchi <
andrea.giammarchi at gmail.com> wrote:

> just to clarify:
>
> > I hope there won't be other inconsistent primitives/classes added to
> the lang in the future.
>
> meaning: I'd rather throw at every attempt to `new Boolean/Number/String`
> too as amend in the future if "_primitives gotta primitive_" is the idea
> and `Symbol` throwing was to help developers.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 15, 2016 at 9:27 AM, Andrea Giammarchi <
> andrea.giammarchi at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> FWIW, if `Object(Symbol()) instanceof Symbol` is true, and it is, we can
>> say `Symbol` is just an anomaly in the specs because it acts like other
>> primitive constructors but it throws if used as `new Symbol()`.
>>
>> Developers that would've written `new Symbol` are the same that write
>> `new Boolean` or `new Number` and `new String`.
>>
>> If these people don't put minimal effort to better learn/use the
>> programming language I wonder why the rest of the entire community should
>> be penalised with "quirks" like `Symbol` is.
>>
>> Throw at everything and then, or don't ... and keep it consistent in both
>> good or bad expectations.
>> I know it's too late for `Symbol` but I hope there won't be other
>> inconsistent primitives/classes added to the lang in the future.
>>
>> Best Regards
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Aug 15, 2016 at 12:15 AM, Domenic Denicola <d at domenic.me> wrote:
>>
>>> Symbol is not a class.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From:* es-discuss [mailto:es-discuss-bounces at mozilla.org] *On Behalf
>>> Of */#!/JoePea
>>> *Sent:* Sunday, August 14, 2016 18:31
>>> *To:* es-discuss <es-discuss at mozilla.org>
>>> *Subject:* Why ES6 introduced classes yet `Symbol` not to be used with
>>> `new`?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> It seems like `new Symbol()` would be inline with the introduction of
>>> classes. Why was it chosen not to be constructible? Seems like it would
>>> make sense to throw an error on `Symbol()` but not `new Symbol()`. Was it
>>> to save three characters of typing?
>>>
>>>
>>> */#!/*JoePea
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> es-discuss mailing list
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>>>
>>>
>>
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