Just In Time Compilation
Just In Time (JIT) compilation is a technique where code is compiled into machine instructions at runtime, rather than ahead of time. It bridges the gap between interpreted languages (which are slower but more flexible) and statically compiled languages (which are faster but less portable). JIT compilers analyze code as it runs, optimizing performance by compiling frequently executed parts (hot code) into native machine code.
Developers should learn JIT compilation when working with languages like Java, JavaScript, or .NET that rely on it for performance, as it enables near-native execution speeds while maintaining portability. It's crucial for optimizing applications in virtual machines or runtime environments, such as the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) or V8 engine, where dynamic features and cross-platform support are priorities.