Lars Bak (computer programmer)
Lars Bak | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1965 Denmark |
| Occupation | Software developer |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Known for | V8 JavaScript engine, Dart programming language, virtual machine technology |
Lars Bak (born 1965) is a Danish software developer renowned for his expertise in JavaScript and advancements in virtual machine technology. He previously held a position at Google, where he directed the creation of the V8 JavaScript engine used in the Chrome browser.
Professional life
Bak completed his Master of Science degree in computer science at Aarhus University in 1988, concentrating on the design and implementation of object-oriented virtual machines. His significant achievements earned him the Senior Dahl–Nygaard Prize in 2018.
Virtual machines
Initially involved with the BETA Mjølner System, Bak joined Sun Microsystems Laboratories in 1991 to work on improving the virtual machine for the Self programming language. By 1994, he transitioned to LongView Technologies, where he focused on developing high-efficiency virtual machines for Smalltalk and Java. After Sun Microsystems acquired LongView in 1997, Bak assumed the role of engineering manager and technical lead for the HotSpot Java virtual machine within Sun's Java Software Division.
In 2002, Bak established OOVM in Aarhus, a company dedicated to creating software for mobile phones, which was subsequently acquired by Swiss firm Esmertec in 2004.
Bak became part of Google in 2006, leading a team of twelve engineers responsible for the V8 JavaScript engine development for Chrome while continuing to work from Denmark. He also co-created the Dart programming language, which was introduced at the 2011 Goto conference held in Aarhus.
Leaving Google in 2017, Bak partnered with Kasper Lund to launch Toit, a venture centered on building a new programming language and platform designed specifically for Internet of Things applications.
Patents
Bak is the holder of eighteen U.S. patents related to software technology, primarily targeting virtual machine programming. In 2010, following Oracle's acquisition of Sun Microsystems and during Bak’s tenure at Google, Oracle initiated legal action against Google over patent infringements, including one titled "Interpreting Functions Utilizing a Hybrid of Virtual and Native Machine Instructions," which Bak and his colleagues had filed.