While the popularity of NodeJS as the most lean, lightweight and performance driven JavaScript solution became popular among the Front-end Development Company, NodeJS and the JS foundation together created the joint organization called OpenJS Foundation. It happened last October and since then the experts are continuously considering the future implications of the move for the JavaScript community. Now under one umbrella as many as 31 open source JavaScript projects will be maintained. Some of the key JavaScript projects under the new OpenJS foundation include jQuery, NodeJS, Appium, Dojo, and webpack.
Before the much appreciated merger, both sides took 6 months of deliberation and communication and for the new foundation they reportedly considered the following objectives for the future:
- Much improved operational excellence.
- Streamlined integration of members into projects and smooth engagement.
- Enhanced collaboration among various JavaScript projects and the affiliated bodies.
- Creating an umbrella structured environment to facilitate collaboration among all JavaScript projects.
- Creating a single and well-grounded platform for any JavaScript project and development approach without needing to opt for any of the opposing choices, namely, the JS Foundation and the NodeJS Foundation.
The Key Benefits of Nodejs
While this merger is being talked about, this is high time to remember the era-defining development approach brought by a language like NodeJS. Node.js came as a JavaScript runtime environment which allows building a custom infrastructure for running a specific application. NodeJS came as an extremely lightweight, highly scalable and straightforward JavaScript approach to build robust cross-platform apps. Thanks to the use of event-driven I/O model it is considered to be one of the efficient languages for developing highly scalable apps.
Since it came into being, we have seen a rapid proliferation of Node.js application development services. The language achieved overwhelming popularity among developers all across the globe. As of now, NodeJS crossed more than a million downloads. Moreover, NodeJS is considered to be the ideal technology to develop sophisticated real-time apps, Internet of Things, and a variety of microservices. No wonder, it achieved faster traction than all other technologies and is considered to be the most demanding programming language skill for a developer career.
The most important advantages of NodeJS include:
- NodeJS is ideal for building real-time apps across popular niches like instant messaging, gaming, live-streaming, entertainment, media, etc.
- NodeJS is capable to work both as a client-side and server-side language.
- It offers a very efficient development process by taking care of both the frontend and backend processes.
- With NodeJS you have access to a thriving and growing Node Package Manager (NPM) which comes as a big repository of ready to use tools and modules for app development. These tools helps boosting productivity and development speed.
- NodeJS has the reputation of executing code faster than any other language.
- NodeJS is very popular among enterprise apps because it is ideal for enterprise-ready microservices.
Latest NodeJS Features
It is not long ago we got the latest NodeJS 12 release. This latest NodeJS version came with an array of future-ready features to boost efficiency and deliver smarter solutions. Let’s have a brief look at the key features of NodeJS 12.
- TLS 1.3 support: With the new TLS1.3 support, the NodeJS developers will get an array of security enhancements.
- The latest update will also allow proper configuration of the default heap limits. This will ensure that NodeJS doesn’t make attempts to use more memory when the memory is short of required limit. This can be very beneficial for the decelerations to handle large data sets.
- NodeJS like previous updates further made development and support of native modules easier.
- With the latest NodeJS 12 the use of Worker Threads no longer needs using flag. The feature is slowly becoming a regular one than experimental.
- A key new feature of NodeJS 12 is the Diagnostic Reports. It helps developers to diagnose and detect problems related to performance glitches, crashes, memory leaks, errors, etc.
- The Heap Dumps feature of the NodeJS 12 will allow investigating memory issues responsible for slower performance.
- The new NodeJS 12 also offers inbuilt code cache support for startup of workers. This boosts the speed and performance of the project.
- There are several new C++ features integrated into the NodeJS to optimise the compiler and security elements.
Benefit of OpenJS foundation
Creating Resources and Speeding Up the Development Process
The OpenJS Foundation has appeared as the responsible platform to give support to the entire JavaScript community by boosting the pace of development with required resources and taking care of key projects in the JavaScript ecosystem. The platform will also work to fulfill the needs of the JavaScript projects pertaining to the infrastructure, technical aspects and marketing requirements.
A Unified Administrative Structure
The common platform for all JavaScript projects will help creating a unified governance and administrative structure that will benefit all projects irrespective of sizes. This will also help boost collaboration between the expert and experienced JavaScript developers and the starters.
Enhanced Member Experience
The OpenJS Foundation makes it clear that any organisation willing to work with JavaScript project has to choose between two NodeJS and JS Foundation. They now have one unified platform. This will greatly eradicate the redundancies in operation of two separate organisations. The new platform will also open the door for new members willing to work with JavaScript projects across the niches.
Community Benefits
Apart from the gross benefits of the platform that we mentioned above, we need to shed some light on the benefits of the platform for the JavaScript ecosystem and the developer community. The key benefits of the platform for the community include the following.
- In-built templates for technical and community governance.
- Easier access to infrastructure.
- Inbuilt marketing assistance.
- Support and guidance for all development activities benefitting the total ecosystem.
Benefits For the Foundation Members
The OpenJS Foundation joining both the JavaScript and Node.js Foundations makes it easier for the participating organisations of JavaScript projects to seek support and guidance in all development matters. The platform offers an undivided place for the JavaScript development companies to focus on key development objectives and issues.
The platform will provide a single gateway of entry for all open source JavaScript projects. This will help JavaScript companies to enjoy more engaging, focused and simple experience while undertaking various development projects. The platform will continue to benefit from the incoming new member ps and participants.
The Future of OpenJS
The OpenJS platform has appeared to fulfill the aspiration of JavaScript development companies and developers across the niches by offering a single gateway. With the long awaited objective of bringing together all streams of JavaScript projects becoming a reality, the days ahead are likely to be more exciting for JavaScript developers.
Conclusion
The OpenJS platform has come with the promise of offering a larger umbrella for all JavaScript development projects. This will only infuse new breath of energy into the JavaScript development community.