Is it the Spread Operator or Spread Syntax?

The Correct Terminology: Spread Syntax, Not Operator

It's often referred to as "spread syntax" and "the spread operator," with the latter being more popular. However, questioning the validity of both terms leads us to conclude that "spread syntax" is more precise.

Why It's Not an Operator

An operator is a function that takes arguments and evaluates to a single value. Spread syntax doesn't fit this definition because it spreads out the elements of an iterable into individual arguments.

Supporting Arguments

• The ECMAScript 2015 Language Specification does not list ... as an operator.
• Spread syntax is a specific extension to the grammar of array literals and function calls, allowing you to spread iterable elements as arguments or array elements.
• Standalone spread expression (e.g., const bar = ...foo;) are not valid syntax.

Spread Syntax vs. Arrow Function Syntax

Spread syntax is analogous to arrow function syntax. Both extend the grammar of the language, but neither is technically an operator.

Why "Spread Syntax"

Spread syntax refers to the syntactic application of the ... punctuator, which is specifically defined in the language's grammar. It is a grammatical rule that defines what is considered a legal construct in ECMAScript.

Conclusion

Calling spread syntax "the spread operator" is a misconception. The correct terminology is "spread syntax" as it accurately describes its function as a grammatical extension that allows you to spread out iterables in array literals and function calls.

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