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This question have been asked multiple times but I'm not able to understand it clearly.

As per the answers provided, JavaScript runtime means where our Javascript code is executed.

Concerning the definition of Node.js, it is an asynchronous javascript runtime, does this mean that inside Node.js Javascript is executed?

Also, does "Javascript runtime environment" mean the environment or the machine setup where Javascript code is executed?

Mehdi Charife
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Siva Pradhan
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  • I suggest you read [this](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ECMAScript_engines) – Edwin Dalorzo Mar 30 '21 at 13:42
  • Javascript is a scripting language designed to run in the browser. Nodejs provides a context (based on the V8 chrome engine) that makes it possible to run on a computer. The V8 itself is written in c++, and if I'm not wrong javascript gets transpiled into c++ code when running in nodejs. – fonzane Mar 30 '21 at 13:51

2 Answers2

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Whether it's running inside a web browser or outside of it, the JavaScript source code that you write is first "compiled" to an internal format (a data structure), and that is then "run" by the language interpreter – this is the "runtime environment." The programming that you write tells this interpreter what to do for you. All interpreted languages work in this way. With most languages there is more than one available implementation. Edwin's comment above leads to a list of the various interpreters that have been created for JavaScript.

Mike Robinson
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A runtime is simply the code that is executed when your program is run. The runtime environment is similarly self explanatory, it is the environment your code is run in. For example if the Windows OS is your runtime environment you would be able to utilize all of the libraries and APIs available to a Windows application. In the context of Node.js the runtime environment allows you to execute/cross-compile JS on your computer without a browser.

Previously answered about Runtimes

Mozzdy
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