Working Of Compiler In JavaScript

JavaScript falls under the general category of "dynamic" or "interpreted" languages. But it is often misunderstood, in-fact JavaScript is Interpreted as well as Compiled language. Let's understand more about the execution of JavaScript code in the Blog

Working of Compiler in JavaScript

In traditional compilation process of a language, a chunk of source code undergo typically three steps before execution.

1. Tokenizing / Lexing
2. Parsing
3. Code Generation

Tokenizing / Lexing:

Breaking up a Sting of characters into meaningful chunks called tokens.

Parsing:

A Stream (array) of tokens are turned into a tree of nested elements, which collectively represents the grammar structure of the program. This tree is called "AST" (Abstract Syntax Tree).

Code Generation:

The process of taking an AST & turning it into executable code.

But, the JavaScript Engine is vastly more complex than just these steps. Any Java-Script code is compiled even before it is executed.

Note: Execution of JavaScript Code is done by Interpreter.

Compilation before execution:

JavaScript compiles all the declarations & Assignments before the code is sent for execution so that the interpreter can skip those lines. This is done for faster execution speed.

let a = 3;    //The declaration and assignment of variable 
                will be compiled before execution.
console.log(a)  //This part will be executed by JavaScript 
                  interpreter

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