The unshift() method is used to add elements to the beginning of an array. It's particularly useful when you want to insert one or more elements at the start of an existing array without affecting the order of the existing elements. Unlike push(), which adds elements to the end, unshift() works at the beginning.

In JavaScript, the setTimeout function is often used for delaying the execution of a function in an asynchronous manner. It schedules the execution of a function after a specified time delay, allowing for tasks like animations or asynchronous operations to be handled.

Arrow functions were introduced in ECMAScript 2015 (ES6). ES6 brought many enhancements to JavaScript, and arrow functions were one of the notable additions. They offer a more concise syntax for defining functions and have lexical scoping for this, making them a valuable addition to modern JavaScript.

In a while loop, placing a "break" statement inside the loop can help prevent infinite loops by providing an explicit exit condition. When a certain condition is met, the "break" statement terminates the loop, allowing you to exit the loop when necessary and avoid infinite iterations.

To manage successive data retrieval operations in a clean and maintainable manner, you can use the "Async/Await" approach in JavaScript. Async/Await simplifies asynchronous code and makes it look more like synchronous code, which can significantly enhance code readability and maintainability. It allows you to write asynchronous code in a more sequential style, making it easier to handle multiple asynchronous operations.

CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) is the API that allows you to make non-simple requests (such as those with custom headers or methods) to another domain in JavaScript while considering the Same-Origin Policy. XMLHttpRequest is an older alternative but has limitations compared to CORS. JSONP is a workaround technique, not an API, and WebSocket is used for full-duplex communication, not for cross-origin requests.

The concept of creating a single function or method that can operate on multiple types of objects is known as "Polymorphism." In JavaScript, polymorphism can be achieved through method overriding and dynamic method binding, enabling different objects to respond to the same method in a way that suits their specific type.

To prevent the browser from freezing during a long-running while loop, you should use asynchronous code and setTimeout to break the loop into smaller chunks. This allows the browser to handle other tasks and prevents the UI from becoming unresponsive. This approach follows the principles of non-blocking and responsive UI in web development.

The correct answer is Promise.race(). This method takes an iterable of promises and returns a new promise that settles as soon as one of the input promises resolves or rejects. It's useful when you want to perform an action as soon as any of several asynchronous tasks completes.

The initial version of JavaScript was created in just 10 days by Brendan Eich in September 1995. This rapid development was possible due to the language's concise design and its primary purpose of enhancing web page interactivity.