Node.js 21 Release and Upcoming LTS Promotion
The Node.js community unveiling Node.js 21, marks a significant moment for developers and users alike. The blog post by Red Hat titled "Introducing Node.js 21", authored by Beth Griggs and Michael Dawson, deals with the same. In parallel, Node.js 2.0 is set to be elevated to the Long Term Support (LTS) version in the coming week. With a staggering 1.3 billion downloads from nodejs.org over the last year, it is a trusted choice for those seeking a stable backend JavaScript runtime. While Node.js 21 won't be promoted to LTS, as per the established release process, it brings several enhancements, including the promotion of the Fetch API to a stable status, experimental WebSocket client support, and better default support for ECMAScript Modules (ESM). These updates further simplify JavaScript development for both frontend and backend applications.
Node.js 21 also sees improvements in platform support, with an increase in the minimum supported macOS version to 11.0 and removing support for Visual Studio 2019. Additionally, the release incorporates the V8 JavaScript engine version 11.8, ensuring seamless execution of JavaScript code across various platforms. Including npm 10.2.0 and automated dependency updates showcases the project's commitment to keeping up with the latest technology. As Node.js 20 gears up for LTS status, it brings features like a stable test runner, improved WebAssembly System Interface (WASI) support, a new permission model, and single executable applications.
Looking ahead, Node.js remains an active and vibrant project with an eye on key technical priorities. The project's commitment to enhancing developer experience, bolstering security, and optimizing performance is evident. The Node.js community extends its gratitude to the many contributors and security stewards who have played pivotal roles in ensuring the project's success. Read more here.