Paul Krill
Editor at Large

Deno 1.30 backs built-in Node.js modules

news
Feb 9, 20232 mins

The JavaScript/TypeScript runtime also updates the configuration file.

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Version 1.30 of the Deno JavaScript/TypeScript runtime, published late January 2023, emphasizes support for built-in Node.js modules and offers a major update to the configuration file.

With Deno, npm packages have already had access to built-in Node.js modules such as fs (file system), path, process, and others through the runtime’s Node.js compatibility layer. In release 1.30, published January 25, these modules are exposed to Deno code via <a href="https://nodejs.org/api/esm.html#urls" rel="nofollow">node:</a> specifiers. For developers using code with both Deno and Node.js, the node: scheme will work in both runtimes. Deno has been positioned as a more secure alternative to Node.js, which has leveraged npm.

Also in Deno 1.30, it now is possible to directly use a deno.json file as an import map, constituting what proponents described as a major update to the configuration file. Previously, it was possible to tell Deno where to look for an import map file by specifying the importMap key with a path to the import map file. This approach meant there were two files with configuration. To make things more concise, developers now can specify imports and scopes keys in a configuration file. Deno automatically will treat the configuration file as an import map.

Installation instructions for Deno can be found at deno.land. Deno 1.30 also includes more than 25 bug fixers pertinent to npm functionality and Node-API. APIs also have been stabilized including Deno.Listener.ref() and Deno.Listener.unref(). And deno fmt now can be formatted without semicolons.

Deno 1.30 was preceded by Deno 1.29 in mid-December 2022, featuring npm compatibility improvements and updates to the REPL. Three mostly bugfix point releases of Deno 1.30 also have been published since the arrival of Version 1.30.

Paul Krill

Paul Krill is editor at large at InfoWorld. Paul has been covering computer technology as a news and feature reporter for more than 35 years, including 30 years at InfoWorld. He has specialized in coverage of software development tools and technologies since the 1990s, and he continues to lead InfoWorld’s news coverage of software development platforms including Java and .NET and programming languages including JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, and Go. Long trusted as a reporter who prioritizes accuracy, integrity, and the best interests of readers, Paul is sought out by technology companies and industry organizations who want to reach InfoWorld’s audience of software developers and other information technology professionals. Paul has won a “Best Technology News Coverage” award from IDG.

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