Node.js 23 Released - Here's What's Interesting

This release introduces some nice upgrades designed to boost developer productivity, improve performance, and increase compatibility with modern JavaScript practices.

Performance optimization always remains a key focus, and this release includes various improvements in string handling and memory management. Updates to critical dependencies like OpenSSL have strengthened security. These updates address potential vulnerabilities, reinforcing Node.js as a secure platform for application development.

Now for the fun stuff

A standout feature of Node.js 23 is the default enablement of ESM. Most developers configure this themselves, so it's probably about time. It's still experimental, but I'm hoping they keep pushing.

They also made the bold decision to discontinue support for 32-bit Windows systems. Though potentially disruptive for some, this choice allows the development team to concentrate their efforts on more widely adopted and up-to-date environments.

The test runner now supports glob pattern matching for coverage files, offering greater flexibility in test configuration and execution. This improvement is great for projects with complex testing requirements.

The release also stabilizes the --run command, which was previously experimental. This enhancement provides developers with a more reliable method for script execution, contributing to an overall improved development experience.

As an odd-numbered release, Node.js 23 is primarily intended for testing and experimentation rather than production use. The Node.js team uses this semantic to keep pushing the boundaries and shipping stable releases. The team encourages developers to explore these new features and provide feedback, ensuring that Node.js continues to evolve in ways that best serve its community.

The official Node.js changelog offers a comprehensive overview of all updates in this release for those keen to delve a little deeper into the changes and improvements.