What's New in Node.js

TL;DR: Let’s explore the key features of Node.js 22, including ECMAScript modules support and the V8 engine update. This release introduces the Maglev compiler and a built-in WebSocket client for enhanced performance and real-time communication. Improvements in testing, debugging, and file system management are also covered. Node.js 22 will enter LTS in October, making now the perfect time to try these features!

In this blog, we will explore the features of Node.js 22.1.0, released on May 2, the latest stable release of Node.js. Node.js is a free, open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment designed for developers to create servers, web apps, command-line tools, and scripts.

Version 22 came loaded with an array of exciting features and enhancements! It brings enhanced capabilities, including requiring () ECMAScript modules (ESM) within CommonJS modules. Node.js 22 will be the current release until next month, entering long-term support (LTS) in October. Until then, explore these new features and evaluate their impact on your apps.

V8 JavaScript engine

V8 is an open-source, high-performance JavaScript and WebAssembly engine developed by Google using C . It is used in Chrome, Node.js, and other platforms. V8 supports ECMAScript and WebAssembly, runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems with x64, IA-32, or ARM processors, and can be integrated into C apps.

The V8 engine has been updated to version 12.4, which includes features such as WebAssembly, garbage collection, and arrays.

Support for require() ESM graphs

Node.js 22 introduced a significant update with the support for require() ECMAScript Modules graphs. This enhancement allows developers to use the require() function to load ESM graphs. ECMAScript Modules represent a modern JavaScript module system, offering an alternative to the traditional CommonJS modules.

Node.js includes support for synchronous ESM imports using the require() function, facilitated by the –experimental-require-module flag. When this flag is enabled, and an ECMAScript module is loaded via require(), it must meet two specific conditions:

• The module is explicitly identified as an ES module, either through a “type”: “module” field in the nearest package.json file or by having a .mjs file extension.
• The module is fully synchronous.

Under these conditions, the require() function will treat the requested module as an ES module and return the module namespace object. This behavior is similar to the dynamic import() function but operates synchronously, providing the namespace object directly.

The ultimate goal is to make the require(esm) functionality the default behavior, eliminating the need for the experimental flag.

Maglev compiler

The V8 Maglev compiler is a newly introduced just-in- time(JIT) compiler that is now enabled by default on supported architectures. This compiler is designed to enhance the performance of short-lived command-line interface(CLI) programs. Positioned between the existing Sparkplug and Turbofa compilers, the Maglev compiler optimizes code execution by providing a balance of quick startup times and efficient runtime performance. By being enabled by default, it ensures that developers can immediately benefit from its performance improvements without additional configuration.

WebSocket client

Node.js version 22 seamlessly incorporates a built-in WebSocket client, significantly enhancing the development process of live apps by removing the requirement for additional libraries.

WebSockets in Node.js enable real-time, bidirectional communication between a server and clients, making them ideal for apps requiring low-latency updates, such as chat apps, live notifications, and real-time data feeds.

The built-in WebSocket client was previously experimental but is now stable and enabled by default in Node.js 22. This ensures browser compatibility and allows other WebSocket clients to connect to Node.js without external dependencies. This built-in WebSocket capability simplifies the development of apps that require live data updates, such as chat apps or live notifications.

Enhanced testing and debugging tools

Node.js version 22 has introduced optimizations in the generation of AbortSignal, significantly benefiting high-level APIs, like the Fetch API and Node.js’s testing framework. The process of creating AbortSignal instances is now more efficient, leading to faster operation times for tasks dependent on these signals.

This improvement directly impacts the performance of apps that use AbortSignal to abort asynchronous operations, making them more responsive and efficient.

Advanced file system management

Node.js 22 brings notable enhancements to the node:fs module by adding the glob and globSync functions. This update enriches Node.js’s capabilities, presenting new tools for pattern matching. Development teams can be equipped with these new functions to match file paths based on designated patterns.

Stable watch mode command line

The watch mode command line feature has now reached stable status. Initially introduced as an experimental feature in Node.js 19, it has been refined and is now fully stable in Node.js 22. This feature allows developers to restart their apps automatically whenever changes are detected in the watched files, significantly enhancing development efficiency.

Key options available:

• –watch
• –watch-path
• –watch-preserve-output

The primary advantage of the watch mode command line is the time efficiency it brings to the development process. By relying on the app’s automatic restart when files change, developers can focus more on coding and less on manual restarts.

Enhancement in string decoder

In Node.js 22, the string_decoder module provides an API for decoding Buffer objects into strings, ensuring that multi-byte characters are preserved correctly. This is particularly useful for handling text data that may be split across multiple buffer instances.

The string_decoder module ensures that multi-byte UTF-8 and UTF-16 characters are not split across multiple buffer instances, which can happen when streaming data. The module offers a straightforward API with methods to decode buffers into strings.

Stream default High Water Mark

In Node.js 22, the default High Water Mark for streams has been increased from 16 KiB to 64 KiB. This adjustment aims to enhance performance across various apps, though it may lead to slightly higher memory usage. Developers working in memory-sensitive environments should consider manually setting the High-Water Mark to suit their needs.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading! As Node.js moves towards integrating these improvements as standard features and as we edge closer to its entry into long-term support, now is the perfect time to try these enhancements. By embracing these new capabilities, developers can ensure that their apps remain at the cutting edge of technology, capitalizing on the stability, performance, and efficiency that Node.js 22 offers. Whether you’re developing server apps, web apps, or simply exploring the latest in JavaScript technologies, Node.js 22 is a compelling update that promises to enrich your development experience.

To learn more about Node.js 22 and its features, please visit the official Node.js documentation and release blog.

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