Shadow: New browser engine made almost entirely in JavaScript (goose.icu)

Article summary

A developer has created a new browser engine called Shadow, which is made almost entirely in JavaScript and runs in a browser. The engine takes in a URL and renders it into a window, using the host browser only for networking and rendering. The project was done for fun and learning, and the developer acknowledges it will likely not work with most websites. A demo of the engine is available to try in a browser.

Main themes

• browser engine development
• JavaScript
• cross-browser compatibility
• web performance
• security concerns
• novelty projects

What commenters say

• Creating a browser engine from scratch is a notable achievement, even if it's just for fun.
• The project's limitations and potential security risks, such as JavaScript rootkits, are being overlooked.
• The engine's ability to run in a browser could potentially solve cross-browser incompatibility issues.
• Some commenters believe that Safari is the new 'minority browser' that developers have to accommodate, while others think Chrome has become the dominant browser that everyone targets.
• The use of JavaScript for the browser engine is seen as impressive, but also potentially problematic due to security concerns.
• There are differing opinions on whether the project is useful or just a novelty, with some seeing it as a solution to browser incompatibilities and others as a waste of time.
• Some commenters are skeptical of the project's potential, citing the difficulties of implementing features like text selection and the potential for errors.
• The discussion also touches on the topic of web performance, with some arguing that Safari's limitations are a problem for developers, while others believe that web performance is a solved problem and that developers are overcomplicating things.