Node.js 20: Updates and New Features

Node.js 20 is out. A thread with the update: pic.twitter.com/SmbGyMhvCZ

— Francesco (@FrancescoCiull4) April 18, 2023

There are many updates, such as:
🔒 new Permission Model
🔄synchronous import.meta.resolve()
🆙 v8 update
🧪 stable test runner module
📦 single Executable Apps

— Francesco (@FrancescoCiull4) April 18, 2023

🔒 The experimental Permission Model is a new mechanism to:
- improve security
- restrict resources during execution.

It allows you to:
- restrict access to the filesystem
- spawn processes
- create worker_threads

API is available behind the flag –experimental permission.

— Francesco (@FrancescoCiull4) April 18, 2023

🔄 synchronous import.meta.resolve()

This function makes writing scripts that are not sensitive to their exact location or web application’s module setup easier.

It now returns synchronously (even when async resolve hooks are loaded).

— Francesco (@FrancescoCiull4) April 18, 2023

🆙 The V8 has been updated to v 11.3

New features:
- String.prototype.isWellFormed / toWellFormed
- Methods that change Array & TypedArray by copy
- Resizable ArrayBuffer / growable SharedArrayBuffer
- RegExp v flag with set notation + string properties
- WebAssembly Tail Call

— Francesco (@FrancescoCiull4) April 18, 2023

🧪 The test runner module, which is experimental in Node.js 19, is now stable.

It facilitates the creation of JavaScript tests.

— Francesco (@FrancescoCiull4) April 18, 2023

📦 Single Executable Apps

They allow the distribution of Node.js app systems without Node.js being installed.

It is a way to compile your project into a binary for distribution.

Electron is already using it.

Microsoft is investigating it as a way to reduce vector attacks.

— Francesco (@FrancescoCiull4) April 18, 2023

🗓️ When?

Node.js 20 will enter LTS in October and be ready for full production deployments.

Organizations/individuals looking to implement Node.js 20 can test it now.

Node.js is used worldwide in both large/small production environments.

Source: https://t.co/DwKlUjo86w

— Francesco (@FrancescoCiull4) April 18, 2023