What’s New in Node 20: Dive into the Robustness of Node 20 Features

Node.js has earned popularity in recent years. In 2024, Node.js is one of the famous frameworks used by developers. Node.js has a powerful and scalable architecture. It helps developers complete high-performance applications with ease. The latest Node.js 20 comes with a range of performance and modifications. Like faster startup times, memory usage, and garbage collection. Security has enhanced support for OpenSSL 3.0 and improved support for HTTP/2.

Node 20 is a significant upgrade in Node.js. It vows to enhance the experience and build high-performance applications.

Now, let us explore what’s new in Node 20 and its features.

Node 20 Features – Discover the Vital Facts & Updates

1. Stable Custom ESM Loader Hooks

In Node 20 features the custom ESM loader hooks are one of the vital facts. This feature helps developers to construct custom hooks. Allowing for more suitable customization and control over module loading and resolution. With ESM loader hooks, developers can apply custom logic. It can support loading modules, making it easier to integrate Node.js.

2. Enhanced Permission Model

This update allows developers to define permissions. This feature delivers better security and control over the resources. Developers can ensure that applications follow best practices and regulatory needs.

3. Test Runner nearing Stable

It provides an easy-to-use framework. It enables developers to write and run automated tests with ease. The test runner helps with a variety of testing frameworks and libraries. Developers can automate their testing process and ensure it is free from bugs and errors

4. Upgraded V8 JavaScript Engine To 11.3

Node 20 features have been upgraded from the V8 JavaScript engine to version 11.3. It helps provide better performance and stability for Node.js applications. This update brings several improvements to the engine. Memory allocation, garbage collection, are some JavaScript language features.

Also Read: Step-by-Step Guide On How To Update Node JS To Latest Version

With its V8 engine, Node 20 offers faster startup times, lower memory usage, and better performance.

5. Compiling Single Executable Applications

Node 20 presents the ability to collect single executable applications. Node.js is a game-changing feature for developers. It enables developers to package it as a single executable file. It makes it more comfortable to distribute and run their applications on different platforms.

6. Introducing Ada 2.0

Ada is now available in Node.js v20. It helps improve URL parsing performance. The latest Ada 2.0 integration in Node.js 20 has better performance. It can remove the ICU prerequisite in URL hostname parsing.

7. Synchronisation with import.meta.resolve() function

The import.meta.resolve() function can provide better synchronization. It enables developers to fix module paths. With the update in Node 20, import.meta.resolve() helps the solution process.

8. Support for ARM64 Windows

Node 20 brings ARM64 Windows. It is a considerable update that enables Node.js to run on ARM-based Windows devices. This feature provides better performance and compatibility. Making it easier for developers to build and deploy Node.js applications.

With ARM64 Windows, developers can take advantage of the performance. This is an exciting addition for developers, to create performant and scalable applications

9. Web Crypto API implementation

Node 20 features have an implementation of the Web Crypto API. It is a set of JavaScript APIs that perform cryptographic operations in web applications. It enables developers to use the APIs.Web Crypto API implementation, developers can take advantage of native cryptography operations.

10. Progress on Web Assembly System Interface (WASI)

It has made significant progress toward implementing the (WASI). It is an API for running modules outside. WASI provides a standardized interface for accessing system resources. By implementing WASI, developers can leverage performance in a platform-agnostic way.

These are some of the features of Node 20. By now, you have learned what’s new in Node 20 and its extremely useful features.

Enhanced Developer Experience With Node v20

Node v20 introduces several enhancements to improve the developer experience. It brings enhanced performance, ensuring faster execution of code and optimized resource utilization. It prioritizes security measures and stronger protection against security threats. Node v20 empowers developers with smoother development workflows and more robust applications.

Here it goes!

Enhanced Performance

Node v20 optimizes the performance of the runtime. It comes with an upgraded V8 engine (version 11.3). It results in improved performance, lower memory usage, and faster startup times.

Increased Security

Node v20 focuses on enhancing security features to provide better protection against security threats. It provides increased security with its implementation. It provides a native interface for cryptography operations in Node.js applications. The synchronization of the import.meta.resolve() function ensures reliability and consistency.

TypeScript Support

Node v20 includes enhanced support for TypeScript, a popular programming language. Node 20 offers better TypeScript support. By making it easier to write and run TypeScript code in Node.js applications.

Debugging Experience

Node v20 introduces improvements to the debugging experience. It comes with improvements to the debugging protocol and tools. It makes it easier for developers to debug their applications.

Error Handling

Node v20 enhances error handling mechanisms, providing more informative and actionable error messages. It introduces a diagnostic channel that captures errors and warnings. It makes it easier for developers to diagnose and fix issues in their applications.

Chintan Gor

CTO, eSparkBiz

Enthusiastic for web app development, Chintan Gor has zeal in experimenting with his knowledge of Node, Angular & React in various aspects of development. He keeps on updating his technical know-how thus pinning his name among the topmost CTO's in India. His contribution is penned down by him through various technical blogs on trending tech. He is associated with eSparkBiz from the past 14+ years where one can get premium services.