What’s New in Node.js 22? Exploring the Latest Features & Updates

Introduction

Just when we thought we were well versed in the ongoing Node.js version 21, the community announced the release date and activation of the latest Node.js version 22 last week. This news was met with great anticipation and excitement from the Node developer community, who eagerly awaited the next iteration of this dynamic framework.

Many experts have also chimed in, expressing their enthusiasm and stating that Node 22 brings with it not just minimal but significant features and updates that are sure to enhance our development experience. 

In contrast to this announcement, we couldn’t resist exploring this dynamic framework’s latest version and sharing the add-ons via this blog. 

Node.js 22 has arrived

Node.js 22 has been released with many enticing new features and updates for the developer community. The official release date for Node 22 is April 24, 2024.

Next, Node v22 will transition to long-term support (LTS) in October 2024, adhering to the traditional pathway. Until then, it will remain the “Current” release for the next six months. 

Let’s delve into What’s New in NodeJS 22 Features and Updates.

Node.js 22 Latest Features & Updates

The latest version of Node.js has surprised developers and business owners worldwide by introducing new features and fixing issues. There are at least 8 potential updates. It highlights the require() for ES modules, WebSocket client, updates within the V8 JavaScript engine, and more!

V8 JavaScript Engine Update to 12.4

The V8 release 12.4 now includes features like WebAssembly, Garbage Collection, and Array.fromAsync, Set methods, and iterator helpers.

Maglev Compiler

The V8 Maglev compiler, which is the new JIT compiler, is now enabled by default on supported architectures. The Maglev compiler helps to improve the performance of short-lived CLI programs. It sits between the existing Sparkplug and Turbofan compilers and has been enabled by default on supported architectures.

Support require() ESM Graphs

Support requires () the ESM graph, another significant update in the latest version of Node.js 22. ECMAScript Modules is a new JavaScript module system compared to the CommonJS module. The release includes require() support for synchronous ESM imports in the code—experimental-require-module.

When using the –experimental-require-module flag, if an ECMAScript module is loaded by require() and meets two conditions:

• It is wholly marked as an ES module with a “type”: “module” field in the closest package.json or a .mjs extension
• It is fully synchronous

In this case, require() will treat the requested module as an ES Module and return the module namespace object. In such instances, it behaves similarly to dynamic import() but runs synchronously and returns the namespace object directly.

The goal is to make the default behavior require(esm) without needing the flag. Hire a Node.js developer to experience this upgrade in your next Node.js project!

Running package.json scripts

In the latest release, a new experimental feature has been added. This feature allows the execution of scripts from the package.json using the CLI flag node –run <script-in-package-json>. It also supports the node-run test, which performs the test command inside package.json scripts.

Stream Default High Water Mark

Node.js has increased the default High Water Mark for streams from 16KiB to 64KiB. This change is expected to enhance performance across the board, albeit with slightly higher memory usage. Developers or users in memory-sensitive environments are advised to set: etDefaultHighWaterMark.

Stable Watch Mode Command Line

The Watch Mode Command Line option is now stable. In the previous Node 19 version, the Angular development team discussed the –watch feature as an exciting addition to the feature list. Now, with the Node 22 version, it has been promoted to stable. Other available options include:

– – watch

– – watch-path

– – watch-preserve-output

This feature’s core advantage is that the development process becomes more time efficient, as the application restarts automatically when the watched files are changed.

glob and globSync

The newest release of Node v22 introduces new functionalities to the node:fsmodule. It includes the glob and globSync functions for pattern matching. Your development teams can now use these features to match file paths according to specified patterns.

WebSocket

Under the experimental-websocket flag, WebSocket will now be used by default for browser compatibility. This will allow WebSocket clients to connect to Node.js without external dependencies.

AbortSignal Creation Performance Improvement

In this version, we have improved and optimized the process of creating AbortSignal instances. This enhancement will substantially boost the fetch and test runner functionalities’ performance.

Final Takeaway!

Node.js 22 marks a significant leap forward for JavaScript runtime environments. With a built-in WebSocket client, improved performance through the updated V8 engine, and a focus on modern JavaScript features like ESM, Node.js 22 empowers developers to create faster, more robust, and more efficient applications. 

Whether building real-time functionalities or simply streamlining your development workflow, Node.js 22 offers compelling features that make it an attractive choice for your next project.

Contact a renowned Node.js development agency to move ahead with Node.js 22. Upgrade to Node.js 22, a worthwhile investment that positions you to take advantage of the latest advancements in JavaScript development.

AboutChetan Sheladiya

Driven by emerging tech stacks, Mr. Chetan has over a decade of experience in the IT and digital landscape. He specializes in online business marketing, web and mobile app development, and other niches. He loves sharing his ideas and opinions with like-minded people.