Nashorn

Nashorn is a JavaScript engine developed by Oracle for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), introduced in Java 8 as a replacement for the older Rhino engine. It allows developers to execute JavaScript code directly within Java applications, enabling interoperability between Java and JavaScript. Nashorn compiles JavaScript to Java bytecode at runtime, providing high performance and seamless integration with Java libraries and frameworks.

Also known as: Nashorn JS, Nashorn JavaScript Engine, Java Nashorn, Oracle Nashorn, JSR 223

Why learn Nashorn?

Developers should learn Nashorn when building Java applications that require dynamic scripting capabilities, such as embedding JavaScript for configuration, rules engines, or plugin systems. It is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to leverage existing JavaScript libraries or allow users to write custom scripts that interact with Java objects, such as in enterprise applications, testing frameworks, or server-side scripting environments.

Learning Resources

• docs: Oracle Nashorn Documentation
• tutorial: Baeldung: Introduction to Nashorn
• video: Java 8 Nashorn Tutorial on YouTube
• book: Nashorn: The Definitive Guide (Book)