V8 Engine
V8 is an open-source, high-performance JavaScript and WebAssembly engine developed by Google, written in C++. It compiles JavaScript code directly to native machine code before execution, enabling fast execution in environments like web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Edge) and server-side platforms (e.g., Node.js). It handles memory management, optimization, and garbage collection to improve runtime efficiency.
Developers should learn V8 when working with JavaScript-intensive applications, Node.js backends, or building performance-critical web tools, as it provides insights into JavaScript execution, optimization techniques, and memory management. It's essential for debugging performance issues, creating custom JavaScript runtimes, or contributing to browser and Node.js development, given its role in powering modern web ecosystems.