The latest Node release includes require() support for ES modules, improved WebSocket communications, and an update to Google's V8 JavaScript engine 2.4. Credit: Per Grunditz / Shutterstock Node.js 22, the latest version of the popular JavaScript runtime, has arrived, featuring require() support for ECMAScript modules, an improved WebSocket client, and an updated version of the Google V8 JavaScript engine. Announced April 24, version 22 of the event-driven, asynchronous runtime can be downloaded from Nodejs.org. The release adds require() support for synchronous ECMAScript module graphs under the flag: --experimental-require-module. If this flag is enabled and the ES module meets a couple of requirements, require() will load the requested module. Additionally, Node.js 22 includes an experimental feature for the execution of scripts from package.json with the CLI flag: node --run <script-in-package-json>. Also included in Node.js 22 is Google’s V8 JavaScript engine release 12.4, with features such as WebAssembly garbage collection and iterator helpers. V8’s Maglev optimizing compiler now is enabled by default on some architectures. WebSocket communications have also been updated with a browser-compatible implementation enabled by default. A WebSocket client to Node.js is now provided without external dependencies, where previously this implementation was behind a flag. Node.js 22 also enhances the efficiency of developing AbortSignal instances, improving performance in fetchcode and the test runner. The high water mark for streams was increased from 16KiB to 64KiB, providing a performance boost at the cost of slightly higher memory usage. From Node.js 22 and on, watch mode is considered stable. When in watch mode, changes in watched files cause the Node.js process to restart. And, for pattern matching, Node.js 22 adds to the node:fs module the functions glob and globSync. Developers can utilize these functions for matching file paths based on specific patterns. Node.js proponents advised that with Node.js 18 going to end-of-life status in April 2025, users should start planning an upgrade to Node.js versions 20 or 22. Related content analysis Beyond the usual suspects: 5 fresh data science tools to try today The mid-month report includes quick tips for easier Python installation, a new VS Code-like IDE just for Python and R users, and five newer data science tools you won't want to miss. By Serdar Yegulalp Jul 12, 2024 2 mins Python Programming Languages Software Development analysis Generative AI won’t fix cloud migration You’ve probably heard how generative AI will solve all cloud migration problems. It’s not that simple. Generative AI could actually make it harder and more costly. By David Linthicum Jul 12, 2024 5 mins Generative AI Artificial Intelligence Cloud Computing news HR professionals trust AI recommendations HireVue survey finds 73% of HR professionals trust AI to make candidate recommendations, while 75% of workers are opposed to AI making hiring decisions. By Paul Krill Jul 11, 2024 3 mins Technology Industry Careers how-to Safety off: Programming in Rust with `unsafe` What does it mean to write unsafe code in Rust, and what can you do (and not do) with the 'unsafe' keyword? The facts may surprise you. By Serdar Yegulalp Jul 11, 2024 8 mins Rust Programming Languages Software Development Resources Videos