JavaScript engine

A JavaScript engine is a software component that executes JavaScript code. The first JavaScript engines were mere interpreters, but all relevant modern engines use just-in-time compilation for improved performance.^[1]

JavaScript engines are typically developed by web browser vendors, and every major browser has one. In a browser, the JavaScript engine runs in concert with the rendering engine via the Document Object Model and Web IDL bindings.^[2] However, the use of JavaScript engines is not limited to browsers; for example, the V8 engine is a core component of the Node.js runtime system.^[3]

Since ECMAScript is the standardized specification of JavaScript, ECMAScript engine is another name for these implementations. With the advent of WebAssembly, some engines can also execute this code in the same sandbox as regular JavaScript code.^[4]^[3]

^ Looper, Jen (21 September 2015). "A Guide to JavaScript Engines for Idiots". Telerik Developer Network. Archived from the original on 8 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
^ "How Blink Works". Google. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Documentation · V8". Google. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
^ Nelaturu, Keerthi. "WebAssembly: What's the big deal?". medium.com. Retrieved 3 March 2024.

[1] Looper, Jen (21 September 2015). "A Guide to JavaScript Engines for Idiots". Telerik Developer Network. Archived from the original on 8 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2018.

[2] "How Blink Works". Google. Retrieved 12 March 2024.

[v8_doc-3] "Documentation · V8". Google. Retrieved 3 March 2024.

[Wasm-4] Nelaturu, Keerthi. "WebAssembly: What's the big deal?". medium.com. Retrieved 3 March 2024.

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