What is New in Node.js Latest Version 22

When we felt we mastered the current version of Node.js, the community announced the activation and release date of the newest version. The Node developer community was delighted to hear this news and couldn’t wait for the next version of this dynamic framework.

The “Long-Term Support (LTS)” version is expected to replace the current “Current” version in October 2024. Furthermore, Node.js 18 will be discontinued in April 2025; hence, the release announcement implies that the community will update to Node.js 20 (LTS) or Node.js 22 (soon to be LTS).

Find out what’s new in Node.js latest version 22 and how we may put it to use to hone our application development abilities.

Introduction to What’s New in Node.js 22?

Node.js 22 has replaced version 21. April 24, 2024 came out. The Maglev compiler, fresh add-on APIs, and running package.json script modifications abound in this new edition. These modifications seek to let developers produce more scalable projects.

Node.js has become quite popular among developers as more users desire scalable and dependable solutions. As of 2024, the new Node.js version 22 seeks to enhance and provide tools that enable over 242,796 enterprises globally (as of 2024) to effortlessly build their backend systems.

Node.js Latest Version 22: Features and Enhancements

The Node.js latest version 22 offers fresh upgrades and improvements. What’s new in Node.js answers why choose Node.js for application development. 

1. Maglev Compiler

The default activation of the new JIT compiler, the V8 Maglev compiler, for supported architectures, marks one major improvement. Located between Sparkplug and Turbofan, this compiler is meant to maximise the performance of transient CLI applications, hence promoting general efficiency.

2. Updating V8 to V12.4

Especially in the V8 version 12.4, the Node.js latest version upgrade offers fascinating improvements to the V8 engine. Among the noteworthy enhancements are capabilities like WebAssembly Garbage Collection, and Array.fromAsync, Set methods, and iterator helpers, therefore providing developers with effective tools to improve their apps.

Node v22 also brings improvements in stream speed; the default high watermark is raised from 16 KB to 65 KB. SetDefaultHighWaterMark() allows developers to easily modify this for memory-sensitive scenarios even if it may take more RAM. Faster execution by more effective AbortSignal instances results from improvements in the get() API and the test runner result as well. Moreover, synchronous filesystem APIs have been polished to provide better speed, thereby raising Node.js programs’ general efficiency.

3. Importing ESM Graphs Using Require ()

Node.js 22 introduces the ability to import a whole ESM graph using require(). Generally speaking, these developments would simplify working with modular JavaScript as complicated workarounds are not necessary. The new experimental-require-module option has enabled the developers to work effortlessly with ESMs.

4. Web Socket

The WebSocket client will have a major improvement in Node.js 22: default automatic activation of the browser-compatible implementation will now be enabled. Users have to enable this function using the `–experimental-websocket` option. 

Node.js 22 will include a built-in WebSocket client, removing the requirement for other dependencies. The built-in WebSocket client is intended to help top Node.js libraries and frameworks grow in order to support real-time application development. Not too far from now, tools for WebSocket connection management, authentication handling, and strong protocol building might be created.

5. Add-on APIs

The project released a suite of APIs intended to improve basic capabilities without depending on further dependencies in the most recent Node.js 22 update. Originally debuted during the Node.js 21 development period, these features include top Node.js development tools like an argument parser, test runner, WebSocket, and Text Styling API. Providing more freedom in text display, the Text Styling API allows text formatting depending on util.inspect.colors.

Furthermore, Node.js latest version 22 improves file environment variable definition. Either programmatically using the `process.loadIng File` and `util.parseEnv`, or by the {–env-file} command-line option Node v21 offers. These improvements simplify the loading of {.env} files or material in {.env} format, therefore facilitating a better development experience.

6. Deprecations in util

The most recent version provides developers with a suitable forum to solve duplicate APIs. It offers a three-stage systematised depreciation mechanism: documentation-only, runtime, and end-of- life.

Amazingly, several util APIs in Node.js 22 have been devalued at the runtime level. Running their apps with the –throw-deprecation switch helps developers find existing deprecated APIs. This will help to provide a more seamless transition.

Additionally, when levelling up with what’s new in Node.js 22, it’s good to examine and replace deprecated APIs to increase the compatibility and effectiveness of your apps.

7. glob and glogSync 

The node:fsmodule offers the most recent functionality for pattern matching parallel to glob and globSync operations. These changes enable the development teams to exactly match file paths according to defined guidelines. Therefore, their capacity to manage and control Node.js application file systems becomes better.

8. Improved AbortSignal Creation

Node.js 22 has better stream performance than the current version of Node.js. Node.js 22 more efficiently provides streams. The high watermark by default has been raised from 16 KiB to 65 KiB. Faster get() API and test runner activities along with more efficient AbortSignal generation define this capability. All of this finally results in high-performance apps, clearly with rather high memory consumption. Furthermore obliged would be setting a Default High Water Mark for those working in a memory-sensitive environment.

9. Smooth IPv6 Configuration Handling

The development team has made notable adjustments on IPv4 and IPv6 handling since Node.js 17’s release. Unlike previous times, when IPv4 was preferred, what’s new in Node.js 22 now follows DNS entry ordering. This change seeks to better control improperly configured IPv6 installations without affecting correctly configured hosts. It is feasible, nonetheless, to run into problems with hosts having partly erroneous IPv6 stacks.

In order to solve this, from Node 17, the emphasis has been on improving the handling of wrongly configured IPv6 stacks. With recent enhancements adding additional connection attempt events, this entails using the happy eyes technique and handling edge situations. Should you run into any problems, you may use the command-line option `–dns-result-order=ipv4first` to go back to the former behaviour. Should further disabling the happy eyeballs algorithm be necessary, the default enabled `–no-network-family-autoselection` option might be utilised. These changes provide better IPv4 and IPv6 setup experience in Node.js 22.

10. Stable Watch Mode

Stable watch mode and other Node.js 22 features and updates—which meet expectations—help to simplify developers’ work. Node.js 22 launches the processes rapidly while updating files and is absolutely reliable. The major benefit of this newest Node.js 22 feature is that it saves time during development, even if the program restarts itself when you modify the files it is monitoring.

11. Running Packages on j.son Script

Node.js 22 has better stream performance than the current version of Node.js. Node.js 22 more efficiently provides streams. The high watermark by default has been raised from 16 KiB to 65 KiB. Faster get() API and test runner activities along with more efficient AbortSignal generation define this capability. All of this finally results in high-performance apps, clearly with rather high memory consumption. Furthermore obliged would be setting a Default High Water Mark for those working in a memory-sensitive environment.

Power Your Next Project with Node.js 22

With Node.js 22, JavaScript programming takes an important turn toward improved modularity, real-time communication, speed optimization, and exceptional reliability. These developments enable developers to produce more complex and effective apps, therefore opening the path for Node.js ecosystem ground-breaking discoveries.

At Innvonix, we appreciate the need to keep up with the newest technology. Hire Node.js developers as our team is ready to help you in using these new capabilities to the maximum extent as the current version of Node.js 22 keeps pushing innovation and progress. Whether you need end-to-end Node.js development services, we are dedicated to provide not only innovative but also customised solutions fit to your particular requirements.

Innvonix is here to bring your ideas to life and ensure your projects are based on the greatest foundations the most recent Node.js provides. Get in touch with our team right now to find out how we may assist with your development requirements and enable Node.js 22 to realise its full potential.