Hello JavaScript Enthusiasts!
Welcome to this week’s edition of "This Week in JavaScript"!
What’s on the agenda?
Node.js embraces native TypeScript, Shadcn/ui steals the spotlight in JavaScript Rising Stars, and we've got new Import Attributes—plus the must-know tools for devs in 2025!
Native TypeScript in Node.js: A Game-Changer
Starting from Node.js v23.6.0, you can now run TypeScript files natively without extra tooling. Here’s what you need to know:
- Seamless Type Stripping: No more juggling tools like ts-node—Node.js handles type stripping itself.
- Not Full Transpilation Yet: Some TypeScript features like JSX, enums, and decorators aren’t supported, but for most projects, this simplifies the workflow.
- Goodbye Pre-Compiling: Say goodbye to complex setups! This update drastically simplifies working with TypeScript in Node.js.
2024 JavaScript Rising Stars: Shadcn/ui Takes Center Stage
The 9th edition of JavaScript Rising Stars is out, and the trends are clear:
- Shadcn/ui Dominates: It’s gaining traction for allowing developers to fully own their components without depending on external libraries.
- React 19's Big News: Web component support has taken React to the next level.
- Vite and Beyond: Vite continues to shine in the tooling space, with Rspack and Rolldown making a strong entrance.
- Bun for Windows: Bun now supports Windows, making it an even more versatile runtime for JS developers.
- Zustand for State Management: Simplicity wins with Zustand as it becomes a favorite among developers for state management.
Import Attributes: Making File Handling Easier
A new ECMAScript feature, Import Attributes, is streamlining file handling. Here’s why it matters:
- Specify File Types: When importing non-JS files (JSON, CSS, WebAssembly), you can now specify file types, reducing potential errors.
- Avoid Confusion: This makes working with large projects or external servers much easier by giving you more control over dynamic imports and file types.
- Workflow Improvement: This is especially beneficial for projects that handle a variety of file types, making them more predictable and error-resistant.
Tools & Releases You Should Know About
The JavaScript ecosystem is constantly evolving, and these tools will help you stay ahead of the curve:
- pnpm 10: Faster dependency handling, tighter security with SHA256 hashing, and lifecycle scripts no longer auto-running. It’s a boost for both team and solo projects.
- Bun v1.1.43: Native S3 support, V8 heap snapshots for better debugging, and HTML bundling make this a powerhouse for your cloud-based apps.
- Tesseract.js 6: OCR just got faster and leaner! The update reduces memory leaks and resource usage, with added control over output like HTML-styled text.
- QuickJS 0.8: Precision meets power! New Math.sumPrecise function, improved error handling, and better Windows support make this a great update.
- trimMiddle(): Perfect for shortening long strings like filenames without losing important content, even handles emojis with precision.
- React-Toastify v11: In-page notifications just got easier. Simplified DOM structure, built-in styles, and custom progress bars, with accessibility updates built-in.
If you found these JavaScript updates useful, give this post an upvote to help others discover it. Don’t forget to share it with your fellow developers, and keep an eye out for more insights in the JavaScript world.
Until next time, keep coding and stay curious!