Table of Contents
Introduction
The dynamic Node.js team is back with another exciting update of the most demanding run-time environment. This time, they have brought the latest version, Node.js 23, to the public domain. Yes, you are reading it right; the Node.js 23 version has been released. According to the community, it is packed with staggering features that will let enterprises and developers experience a new level of scalability and robustness in app development.
In this blog post, we will explore Node.js 23’s latest features and provide an overview of what this latest version has brought to the developers’ community worldwide.
What’s New in Node.js 23?
Node.js requires no introduction as it is an established JavaScript run environment. Its intuitive features and versatility have made it a premium choice for software development. With the release of the latest version, upgrading to Node.js 23 becomes crucial to get the best of its offerings.
Node.js 23 will remain in the “current” release line for six months. This means the previous version, Node.js 22 will enter the Long-term Support (LTS) category later this month. So you better start understanding the current versions’ cutting-edge features from this following guide to adhere to its changes and updates for your
Experimental TypeScript Support
It was expected, and it has happened. Node.js 23 has announced experimental support for TypeScript, allowing developers to quickly run TypeScript files with limited syntax transformation in the run-time environment. Developers don’t require additional tools or plugins to write and execute TypeScript code. Plus, they can execute the “.ts” and code in their preferred language, enhancing this feature.
Stable node –run command
This is another exciting update in the Node.js 23 edition. Developers can now use a stable node –run command to execute scripts in package.json files without npm. This feature streamlines the execution of Node.js scripts directly from the terminal without defining a file or script.
An example of a package.json file for your application:
{
“name”:” demo-app”,
“version”: “0.0.1”,
“scripts”: {
“start”: “node demo.js”
}
}
Use the below command to start the application:
> node –run start
reruire(esm) Got Default Support
Of all the other changes and updates, the require(esm) enabled by default to load the native esm model is remarked as a significant change in Node.23. However, this feature was already available in its previous versions, Node.js 20 and 22, requiring an extra step for using the command line flag –experimental-require-module. Now, that is enabled by default in this version, making it easy to work with ESM modules by offering default functionality for synchronously loading ESM modules with require().
Note: It is still in the experimental stage and can be disabled with the –no-experimental-require-module if you encounter any issues.
SQLite Addition Experimental
Node.js 23 introduces an experimental SQLite API, helping developers harness the power of SQL queries for data management. This lightweight database solution, built into Node.js, simplifies database operation, making it ideal for various applications, from small-scale prototypes to full-fledged projects.
Web Storage API Experimental
Web storage API enhancement is another flagship offering by Node.js 23. the integration of the sessionStorage and localStorage APIs offers a robust mechanism for data management. Developers can harness these APIs to store data locally and provide a more secure cookie alternative. This feature update enhances the framework’s ability to handle complex web applications and improves overall performance.
OpenSSL Engine-based APIs Deprecation
Node.js adapts to OpenSSL3’s new provider model, which deprecates custom engines. This change affects options like clientCertEngine, privateKeyEngine, privateKeyIdentifier, and crypto.setEngine(), which are used for secure communication and cryptographic operations.
Windows 32-bit Support Dropped
Node.js 23 no longer supports 32-bit Windows systems. To continue using the latest Node.js version, upgrade your Windows system to 64-bit. Older Node.js versions will still function on 32-bit systems.
Platform Support
To leverage the benefits of C++20, Node.js 23 accepts GCC 12 or a later version. This update ensures compatibility with the latest language features and optimizations, particularly within the V8 JavaScript engine.
Other Notable Changes in Node.js 23
- Node.js 23 includes the updated V8 engine (12.9.202) to improve performance, memory handling, and compatibility with modern JavaScript features.
- Node.js developers can now effectively use glob patterns in their test coverage reports, simplifying testing across multiple files.
- Buffer operations now generate errors for attempts to write past capacity, enhancing reliability and minimizing potential bugs.
- The Node.js has removed numerous outdated flags like –trace-atomics-wait and –no-experimental-global-customevent. This helps keep Node.js efficient and focused.
- Node.js 23 has a new method called matchGlob(). This method makes matching file patterns directly within paths easier, simplifying tasks involving these patterns.
- Node.js 23 has improved the propagation of the EventEmitter and the implementation of private fields to enhance event handling in asynchronous operations.
- Outdated utility methods like util.isPrimitive, util.isFunction, and util.isSymbol are now end-of-life (EOL), prompting developers to use modern alternatives.
End Note
The release of Node.js 23 brought a broad spectrum of features and enhancements and a sense of improvement in the development experience. With the stable node-run command and the streamlined ES modules, developers have an edge in developing high-performance applications with ease.
However, many will take considerable time to adjust to the Windows 32-bit support removal. Apart from this, they have a vast inventory of features to explore and utilize for modern application development.
As a frontline Node.js development agency we have already started our Node.js 23 transition and are ready to guide you in the same within a smooth and hassle-free environment. Hire NodeJs developers from us today to harness the full potential of Node.js 23 updates!
