I'm referring to MDN's article on JavaScript's 'future reserved words' (for use in the new strict mode) - https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Lexical_grammar#Future_reserved_keywords . All the reserved words indicate that JavaScript will possibly follow a non-prototypical inheritance procedure, but what does this mean for already developed applications and modifications? Does anyone know how long these have been 'future reserved words', and whether or not these changes will come to light in the near future or not?
If this isn't the right place, feel free to move it.
Will JavaScript ever become a 'proper' class based language?
Fortunately, NO. It is already a proper language even without being class-based. You will never loose the power to create objects without classes.
I'm referring to MDN's article on JavaScript's 'future reserved words'. All the reserved words indicate that JavaScript will possibly follow a non-prototypical inheritance procedure
No, it's very unlikely that they will give this up. They just want to keep all options open to implement these functionalities, and want to prevent you using this syntax.
Like the Harmony drafts for classes and the current ES6 proposal show, most of these concepts can be implemented well in a prototypal world.
but what does this mean for already developed applications and modifications?
Not much. All changes in EcmaScript try to be as backwards-compatible as possible (remember what all this hassle with strict mode is about?).
Does anyone know how long these have been 'future reserved words', and whether or not these changes will come to light in the near future or not?
The article gives a good overview, I think. You may want to compare ES3, ES5 and the ES6 draft (maybe even earlier versions).
As said above, these are not intended to become "changes". Don't forget that back in the dark old days JavaScript syntax was based on Java, and did inherit its set of keywords. The removal of the Java types, and the addition of new keywords for more powerful concepts, can be seen as setting a direction in the development of EcmaScript.