Microsoft to release source code Javascript engine Edge browser

Microsoft plans to release the source code of the javascript engine used in the Edge browser. This open source version is called ChakraCore and contains some changes from the variant that ships with the browser.

The open source plans were announced at the JSConf meeting in Florida, Ars Technica reports. Microsoft’s Edge browser uses the Chakra javascript engine, and an open source version will be released in January. After release, the code will be available on Microsoft’s Github page.

The Redmond company has indicated that the open source variant called ChakraCore contains the full javascript engine, albeit with some minor changes. For example, the link between the javascript engine and the html engine that serves in the Edge browser is missing, as is the link with the Universal Windows Platform. The latter is the software kit that Microsoft has released to make apps suitable for multiple types of devices.

By making the code public, Microsoft hopes that others will contribute to the development of the javascript engine. AMD and Intel, for example, have already shown interest in making a contribution. For now, the available code will only work on Windows, but the intention is that versions that work on other operating systems will also appear in the future.