Hands-On Data Structures and Algorithms with JavaScript

Garbage collection and V8

When it comes to V8, the process of garbage collection is extremely complex (as it should be). So, let's briefly discuss how V8 handles it.

In V8, the memory (heap) is divided into two main generations, which are the new-space and old-space. Both new-space and old-space are assigned some memory (between 1 MB and 20 MB). Most of the programs and their variables when created are assigned within the new-space. As and when we create a new variable or perform an operation, which consumes memory, it is by default assigned from the new-space, which is optimized for memory allocation. Once the total memory allocated to the new-space is almost completely consumed, the browser triggers a Minor GC, which basically removes the ...