Chrome's V8 Engine

Introduction

• JavaScript code is not directly understandable by computers.
• A JavaScript engine is needed to convert JavaScript code into machine code.
• JavaScript engines execute JavaScript code.
• Developed by web browser vendors; each major browser has its own engine.

Major JavaScript Engines

• V8: Developed by Google for Chrome (focus of this topic).
• SpiderMonkey: For Firefox.
• JavaScriptCore: Developed by Apple for Safari.
• Chakra: For the original Microsoft Edge.

V8 Engine

• Open Source: Developed by Google.
• Implements ECMAScript: As specified in ECMA-262.
• Written in C++: Not in JavaScript.
• Usage:
  • Standalone execution of JavaScript.
  • Can be embedded into C++ applications.

Key Points from v8.dev

1. Open Source: V8 is Google's open-source JavaScript engine.
2. ECMAScript Implementation: It implements ECMAScript as specified in ECMA-262.
3. Written in C++: C++ is used to write the V8 engine.
4. Standalone or Embedded: V8 can run on its own or be included in other C++ programs.

Embedding V8

• By embedding V8 in a C++ program, you can execute JavaScript with added features.
• Allows for lower-level operations like file handling, database connections, and network operations through JavaScript.
• Node.js: Created by embedding V8 into a C++ program, enabling JavaScript to perform backend operations.

Summary

• JavaScript engines convert and execute JavaScript code.
• Google developed the V8 engine in 2008.
• Written in C++ and can be standalone or embedded.
• Embedding allows enhanced functionality in JavaScript, leading to the creation of Node.js.

Next Steps

• Upcoming video: Understanding JavaScript runtime.
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