What is the history of JavaScript engines?

What is the history of JavaScript engines?

JavaScript engines have evolved significantly since the language's inception in 1995. The first engine was developed by Netscape, called SpiderMonkey. Over the years, engines like V8 (by Google), Chakra (by Microsoft), and JavaScriptCore (by Apple) have emerged, each improving performance and adding features.

What were some key milestones in their development?

Key milestones include the introduction of Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation in V8 in 2008, which greatly improved performance. The ECMAScript 6 (ES6) standard in 2015 also prompted updates across engines to support new features like arrow functions and classes.

How do these engines differ from each other?

Each engine has its own architecture and optimization techniques. For example, V8 focuses on speed and efficiency, while SpiderMonkey emphasizes compatibility and features. These differences can affect how JavaScript runs in different browsers.

What impact did these engines have on web development?

The advancements in JavaScript engines have led to faster web applications, enabling complex functionalities and rich user experiences. They have also influenced the rise of frameworks like React and Angular, which rely on efficient JavaScript execution.