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Emily Smith
Emily Smith

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Node.js 22: Latest features, updates, and why you must upgrade

The world of web development is constantly evolving, and Node.js predates this rapidly changing field. Being one of the core technologies in today’s web applications, Node.js advances with each new update, and Node.js 22 is particularly remarkable as it brings many powerful new features and enhancements that every developer will be eager to discover. These updates bring about groundbreaking functionalities for every business aiming to achieve high efficiency, scalability, and innovation in web development.

Since 2009, Node.js has been revolutionary to server-side JavaScript, introducing asynchronous processing and an immense ecosystem that becomes the bedrock for high-performance and scalable applications. Major releases are mainly targeting performance, security improvements, and satisfaction for the developer, as Node.js 22 upholds significant improvements.

A Node.js development company can help you leverage the latest features in Node.js 22 to create applications that are faster, more scalable, and optimized for peak performance. With expert knowledge of each new update, Node.js developers ensure that your projects benefit from the most cutting-edge advancements, providing a solid foundation for innovative, high-quality web solutions.

An overview of Node.js 22
Node.js 22 was released on April 24, 2024, and transitioned into long-term support (LTS) in October 2024. Filled with advancements such as a new V8 engine, a built-in WebSocket client, and enhanced JavaScript features, Node.js 22 gives developers novel ways to build applications that are faster and more efficient than before. This version includes essential improvements such as the Maglev compiler, and new capabilities for running packages. json scripts, enriched add-on APIs, and more – all designed to streamline the development process for Node.js applications.

Let’s dive into the Node.js latest updates and its valuable enhancements. But first, let’s briefly review the preceding and current Node.js versions to provide a solid context for understanding this latest release.

Node.js 21 vs. Node.js 22: Is it time to upgrade?
With each version of Node.js introducing meaningful changes, it’s natural to ask whether updating to Node.js 22 is worth it? To assist you in making this decision, the following section provides a quick overview comparing Node.js 21 and Node.js 22 – detailing the key differences and why this upgrade might be beneficial for your projects.

Node.js 21 vs Node.js 22
Aspect Node.js version 21 Node.js version 22
V8 engine V8 11.8 V8 12.4
WebStreams Supported Improved support
ESM modules Complex process Default support
Test runner Included Accurate
Performance Effective Enhanced
Key updates in Node.js 22 features
Upgraded V8 engine and the Maglev compiler
Node.js 22 features an updated V8 engine, now version 12.4.254.14, which brings several enhancements, including WebAssembly Garbage Collection Array, new fromAsync, Set methods, and iterator helpers.

In addition, Node.js 22 introduces the V8 Maglev compiler, a just-in-time (JIT) compiler now activated by default, on compatible systems. Positioned between the Turbofan and Sparkplug compilers, Maglev optimizes the performance of short-term CLI programs, providing a notable boost in efficiency for command-line applications.

Support for importing ESM Graphs with require()
A noteworthy addition in Node.js 22 is the ability to import entire ECMAScript module (ESM) graphs using require(). Under the experimental require module, synchronous ESM graphs are now supported. For this to work, the modules must be defined as ES modules in the package.json file with “type”: “module” or by using an .mjs extension, and they must be fully synchronous. This feature streamlines modular JavaScript usage, allowing for efficient, synchronous imports without the need for complex workarounds.

Native WebSocket support
Node.js 22 brings native, browser-compatible WebSocket functionality enabled by default. Previously, developers had to rely on browser-compatible features, but this update simplifies real-time communication and eliminates the need for external WebSocket dependencies, creating a smoother experience for those building web applications that require live data streaming.

glob and globSync functions
The Node.js fs module now includes glob and globSync functions for advanced file pattern matching. These additions allow developers to efficiently find and match file paths according to predefined patterns, enhancing the management and manipulation of file systems in Node.js applications.

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