What’s New in Node.js 19? Latest Updates and Features of Node.js 19

Quick Overview: Node.js 19 introduces exciting enhancements to the popular JavaScript runtime environment. This release focuses on optimizing performance, improving stability, and enhancing developer experience. Explore the latest version to leverage these advancements and streamline your development workflow.

Even though we are about to close this 2022-year chapter in the next two months, October has brought some good news for me as a developer. The year 2022 has given many major releases when it comes to development, including Angular 14, the new framework – TezJS, React 18, Vite 3.0 and so on.

I feel that the developer community could not ask for more with each technology coming up with new updates, features, and functionalities.

This time, October has given us a surprise with a new Node.js major release and a new LTS (Long-Term Support) version.

Yes, the Node.js community has announced the latest version of Node.js – Node.js 19 with its new update of the V8 JavaScript engine to 10.7, and HTTP(s)/1.1 KeepAlive enabled by default.

The latest version of Node.js v19.0.0 was released on 19th October 2022 with an update of the V8 JavaScript engine and many other features by the Node.js team.

The release of Node.js 19 is now available! The latest version of Node.js 19 will replace Node.js 18 as ‘Current’ release line when Node.js 18 enters LTS later this month. As per the official statement by the Node.js team, Node.js 19 will be the ‘Current’ release for the next six months until April 2023. NodeJs community will come again with the new release of Node.js – Node.js 20 with amazing features. Since the released version is even-numbered, it will be promoted to long-term support (LTS) in October 2023 and receive support until April 2026.

Therefore, we recommend you stick to the LTS release for product deployments. Anyway, we are going to try our hands on the latest version of Node.js 19 in future projects. And I guess you should also give the new features and functionalities a try for better development.

So, if you are still using the older version of Node.js 14, now is the time to switch to Node.js 16 or 18, or 19 since you will get no support for Node.js 14 after April 2023. You can easily install the latest version of Node.js on your desktop or upgrade it easily with simple steps.

Introduction to Node.js 19

Node.js 19 is up and available for early feature testing. On the other hand, Node.js 18 LTS will be ready for production deployments from the next week, 25th October.

Let’s hear what the core members of the Node.js 19 version - Rafael Gonzaga from Nearform and Ruy Adorno from Google have to say about Node.js 19:

“With over 1,150 commits since the last release, Node.js continues to improve along a broad spectrum of functionality. Improvements in connectivity, performance and throughput are important parts of Node.js 19. We’ve been working hard on making Node.js more secure and performant, and I believe we are getting better and better. If you’re in active deployment, Node.js 18 LTS is for you. If you’re interested in getting access to features early, Node.js 19 is ready,” said Rafael Gonzaga, Node.js Core Member. “Many thanks to our open-source contributors for making Node.js better and better.”

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Do you know what’s more exciting about Node.js 19?

Node.js 19 is the best version because you can anticipate new releases approximately every two weeks. This allows you to keep yourself updated with the latest changes and features. Since Node.js 19 is an odd-numbered release line, it won't be upgraded to LTS.

You can read more about guidelines and release policies on the Node.js GitHub account.

With every update of Node.js new amazing features are being added with it, yet Node.js 19 has several major updates.

Senior Software Developer from Google, Ruy Adorno, said about Node.js 19 release is:

“Node.js releases are fundamentally a team effort, and, more broadly, a community effort. Node.js 19 and Node.js 18 LTS are great examples of this, with input and code from a wide range of developers. Try out Node.js yourself, and if you have contributions, we are very interested in working with you.”

What’s New? Major Updates for Node.js 19

Node.js 19 was the outcome of more than 1,150 commits since the previous release. However, as much of the work was done in the background correcting or reworking already existing features, there aren't as many headline features this time. Following are some interesting ones you should consider Node.js Architecture for your Node.js development services.

node --watch (experimental)

Node.js 19 introduces an experimental "--watch" command line option, which you will like if you have ever used nodemon to accelerate your development process.

With the help of this feature, Node.js is started in watch mode and will immediately restart when files are modified.

It should be noted that only Windows and macOS, the two most widely used development platforms, are supported.

$ node --watch index.js

This feature is available in Node.js v19.0.0 and v18.11.0+.

Note: This is an example of how features quickly return to earlier releases because it was included in the Node.js 18 release line prior to the release of Node.js 19. However, I still thought it was worth mentioning!

Stable WebCrypto

Node.js comes up with the stable version of WebCrypto API (with the exception of the following algorithms: Ed25519, Ed448, X25519, and X448)

Use the below command to access this module.

globalThis.crypto or require('node:crypto').webcrypto

HTTP(S)/1.1 KeepAlive by default

This version of Node.js sets keepAlive to true by default. This indicates that HTTP 1.1 Keep-Alive will be used automatically for all outbound HTTP(s) connections.

The keep-alive period by default is 5 seconds.

Enable keep-alive will deliver better throughput because connections are reused by default.

In addition, we may now parse any response Keep-Alive messages that the servers may send. The client is told how long to stay connected via this header.

On the other hand, when the close() method is used, the Node.js HTTP server will now immediately disconnect inactive clients (who are utilizing HTTP Keep-Alive to reuse the connection).

You will experience a better improvement in throughput/performance for Node.js HTTP(S)/1.1 requests by default.

Custom ESM Resolution Adjustments

Node.js is no longer supporting the --experimental-specifier-resolution flag. We can achieve this functionality via custom loaders.

No Support for DTrace/SystemTap/ETW

DTrace can be used to obtain a comprehensive overview of the active system, including the amount of memory, CPU time, filesystem, and network resources utilized by the running processes.

Although it can be a useful tool, maintaining it requires much work. Therefore, Node.js no longer supports DTrace/SystemTap/ETW in v19.0.0.

The prioritization of resources is the key cause. Without a defined strategy for supporting these instruments, the complexity of maintaining support has proven to be not worth it.

Node.js officially stated that if you wish to contribute to the restoration of DTrace, then you can take part at github.com/nodejs/node/issues/44550.

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Updated V8 JavaScript Engine to 10.7

Node.js runs on the V8 engine. Your JavaScript is parsed and executed within a Node environment.

Node.js 19 offers the latest version, 10.7, of the V8 JavaScript engine. This makes our Node.js development project updated with JavaScript features along with better performance.

The V8 JavaScript engine is the runtime environment that executes JavaScript code, making it possible for developers to write JavaScript without having to worry about whether their code will work on Linux, Windows, macOS, or hardware that is powered by x64, Arm, or Power PC.

Since V8 is written in C++, Node.js developers must maintain and enhance it across various hardware and operating system setups.

The JavaScript API now has a new feature called Intl.NumberFormat in this version.

A new TC39 ECMA402 stage 3 proposal called Intl.NumberFormat extends the already-existing Intl.NumberFormat.

llhttp 8.1.0

Node.js 19 comes with llhttp@8.1.0.

The http_parser is being ported to TypeScript in this project. It is used to produce the C source file for the output, which can then be linked and compiled with an embedder's program like Node.js.

It parses both requests and answers. Actually, the parser is intended for use in high-performance HTTP applications.

The Node.js development team is continuously working on llhttp to improve with new API features and callbacks.

npm 8.19.2

Although the NPM version included in the Node.js 18 line is the same one that is included in Node.js 19. Node.js NPM was first released in version 8.6.0. Thus, new updates keep NPM up to date.

Platform Support

Node.js 19 does come up with major changes or updates to the platforms that are supported, unlike the previous release. The standard prerequisites listed in BUILDING.md have not changed, but any operating systems that have reached their EOL will no longer be supported.

Promotion of Node.js 18 to LTS

Node.js 18 has been upgraded to LTS, making it ready for usage in production. Like every release, Node.js adds functionality and features that make upgrading a wise decision.

The features consist of the following:

• Experimental Fetch
• Experimental Test Runner
• ECMAScript modules improvements
• Improved support for AbortController and AbortSignal
• Updated Platform Support
• V8 Version 10.2
• OPENSSL 3 Support
• Default DNS resolution

Try Node.js 19 Today!You can surely download the latest version of Node.js v19.0.0 from its official Node.js website. Furthermore, you can also read its release post, which has the list of commits included in Node.js 19.And needless to say, as a stellar software development company, we are going to test the applications and modules with Node.js 19 in the coming projects for better performance. I am sure, Node.js 19 will surely show the bright side of web development with the latest changes and features.If you wish to know the timeline of Node.js releases, you can surely keep an eye on the Node.js Release Schedule. In any case, while using the latest version of Node.js – Node.js 19, if you face any difficulties with the deployments, or as an entrepreneur, if you wish to migrate your Node.js project with the latest version, we have you covered. Feel free to connect with our experts and share your requirements.