The V8 JavaScript engine is an open-source software component developed by Google that executes JavaScript code. Originally created for the Chrome browser, V8 translates JavaScript into machine code, enabling fast and efficient performance of web applications. Its speed and reliability have made it a core part of not only Chrome, but also other browsers and platforms like Node.js, allowing developers to run JavaScript outside the browser. V8’s optimization techniques help deliver smooth user experiences and power many modern web and server-side applications.