I've been a long-time Javascript hater. Probably didn't help that I started out 20 years ago, and dealing with cross-browser support was a big issue. And of course, let's so no more about Internet Explorer shudder. And then NPM - a direct result of JavaScript's anaemic standard library.

Anyway, things have changed a lot, and I recently worked on my first ever web app with native ES6 - no transpiling to ES5! It was... not nearly as bad as it used to be! Modules are a thing, and the language has evolved with things like async/await, evolved for the better, I think. The standard library is still horribly anaemic though - the number of "helper" functions needed is ridiculous.

But still, I would no longer classify myself as a hater. Progress at last :)

I appreciate Javascript's LISPy qualities, but it has an inordinate number of footguns and a relative lack of standard, stable libraries. Coming from languages like Java and Erlang that are relatively scrupulous about such things is a bit jarring.

I do like Typescript though, as it adds some really nice ergonomics.

I think in most cases it's probably not hate but a deep, deep love.

I think most people on HN like Javascript, or at least its idea? I mean, its a very C-like functionnal language, especially since ES6 put Js on the right road (for me at least)?