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# System prepended metadata

title: JavaScript Engines in Major Browsers

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#  An In-Depth Look on JavaScript Engines in Major Browsers.


JavaScript is the backbone of modern web development, enabling dynamic and interactive web experiences. However, the magic behind executing JavaScript code lies in the **JavaScript engines** used by browsers. These engines are responsible for parsing, compiling, and executing JavaScript code efficiently. In this article, we’ll explore the JavaScript engines used in major browsers and how they work.

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## What is a JavaScript Engine?

A JavaScript engine is a program or interpreter that executes JavaScript code. It converts human-readable JavaScript into machine code that the computer's processor can understand. Modern JavaScript engines use advanced techniques like **Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation** to optimize performance.

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## Major JavaScript Engines

Here are the JavaScript engines used by the most popular browsers:

### 1. **V8 (Google Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Node.js)**
   - **Developed by:** Google
   - **Browser:** Chrome, Edge (Chromium-based), Opera, and Node.js
   - **Key Features:**
     - Uses JIT compilation for high performance.
     - Implements **Ignition** (interpreter) and **TurboFan** (optimizing compiler).
     - Known for its speed and efficiency.
   - **Fun Fact:** V8 is also used in Node.js, enabling server-side JavaScript execution.

   ```javascript
   // Example of V8 optimizing code
   function add(a, b) {
       return a + b;
   }
   console.log(add(2, 3)); // V8 optimizes this for repeated calls
   ```

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### 2. **SpiderMonkey (Mozilla Firefox)**
   - **Developed by:** Mozilla
   - **Browser:** Firefox
   - **Key Features:**
     - The first JavaScript engine ever created, originally developed by Brendan Eich (the creator of JavaScript).
     - Uses JIT compilation with **IonMonkey** for optimization.
     - Implements **Baseline Interpreter** for faster startup.
   - **Fun Fact:** SpiderMonkey is written in C++ and Rust.

   ```javascript
   // Example of SpiderMonkey handling closures
   function createCounter() {
       let count = 0;
       return function() {
           count++;
           return count;
       };
   }
   const counter = createCounter();
   console.log(counter()); // 1
   ```

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### 3. **JavaScriptCore (Apple Safari)**
   - **Developed by:** Apple
   - **Browser:** Safari
   - **Key Features:**
     - Also known as **Nitro**.
     - Uses a low-latency JIT compiler for fast execution.
     - Optimized for energy efficiency, making it ideal for Apple devices.
   - **Fun Fact:** JavaScriptCore is open-source and part of the WebKit project.

   ```javascript
   // Example of JavaScriptCore handling async code
   async function fetchData() {
       const response = await fetch('https://api.example.com/data');
       const data = await response.json();
       console.log(data);
   }
   fetchData();
   ```

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### 4. **Chakra (Legacy Microsoft Edge)**
   - **Developed by:** Microsoft
   - **Browser:** Legacy Edge (pre-Chromium)
   - **Key Features:**
     - Used in the original Microsoft Edge browser (replaced by V8 in the Chromium-based Edge).
     - Implemented JIT compilation and had a separate garbage collection thread.
   - **Fun Fact:** Chakra was retired when Microsoft adopted Chromium for Edge.

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## How JavaScript Engines Work

Modern JavaScript engines follow a multi-step process to execute code efficiently:

1. **Parsing:** The engine parses the JavaScript code into an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST).
2. **Compilation:** The AST is compiled into bytecode or machine code using an interpreter or JIT compiler.
3. **Optimization:** The engine identifies "hot" code (frequently executed) and optimizes it further.
4. **Execution:** The optimized code is executed by the CPU.
5. **Garbage Collection:** The engine cleans up unused memory to free up resources.

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## Performance Comparison

| Engine         | Browser         | Strengths                          | Weaknesses                     |
|----------------|-----------------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------|
| V8             | Chrome, Edge    | Speed, optimization                | High memory usage              |
| SpiderMonkey   | Firefox         | Flexibility, open-source           | Slightly slower than V8        |
| JavaScriptCore | Safari          | Energy efficiency, Apple ecosystem | Limited to Apple devices       |
| Chakra         | Legacy Edge     | Multithreaded GC                   | Discontinued                   |

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## Conclusion

JavaScript engines are the unsung heroes of web development, powering the dynamic behavior of websites and applications. Each engine has its unique strengths, tailored to the browser and platform it serves. Whether it’s V8’s speed, SpiderMonkey’s flexibility, or JavaScriptCore’s efficiency, these engines ensure that JavaScript remains a powerful and versatile language for the web.

As web technologies evolve, so do JavaScript engines, continually pushing the boundaries of performance and efficiency. Understanding how they work can help developers write better, more optimized code.

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