Ryan Dahl, the creator of Deno, shares insights into the evolution of JavaScript development. He discusses why he opted to build Deno from scratch rather than forking Node, highlighting Deno's innovative features and the new capabilities in Deno 2. The conversation also covers the JavaScript Registry (JSR) and its benefits, the challenges of open-source sustainability, and Dahl's bold move to challenge Oracle for the JavaScript trademark. Listen in for a deep dive into the future of JavaScript and the importance of community in development!
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Quick takeaways
Deno 2 signifies a pivotal evolution in JavaScript development by enhancing compatibility with existing Node.js packages through NPM support.
Ryan Dahl stresses the vital importance of security in open-source ecosystems, advocating for proactive measures to protect against vulnerabilities.
Dahl's campaign for the JavaScript trademark's release from Oracle underscores a push for community-driven governance over corporate control of the language.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Deno and Node.js
Deno, created by Ryan Dahl, is built as a fresh alternative to Node.js, addressing the mistakes and limitations he identified during its development. Dahl shares that while many early decisions in Deno aimed to establish a clean slate for JavaScript developers, they have since acknowledged the necessity of supporting existing Node.js packages, particularly through NPM. This pragmatic decision shows an understanding of the vast legacy of Node ecosystems, where developers rely heavily on NPM packages for their projects. The evolution towards compatibility with Node reflects an essential balance between innovative design and the practical needs of a large developer community.
Key Features in Deno 2
Deno 2 introduces significant updates that cater to a broader developer base by improving compatibility and functionality. The new version allows seamless imports from NPM and supports projects that use package.json, streamlining the developer experience. Additionally, the introduction of the JSR (JavaScript Registry) facilitates better sharing of JavaScript and TypeScript code, positioning Deno as a viable alternative to the traditional NPM ecosystem. These enhancements are aimed at leveling up the JavaScript experience, providing robust features without sacrificing ease of use.
Addressing Security in the Open Source Ecosystem
The discussion touches on a notable security incident involving an open-source library that was compromised, which serves as a warning regarding the vulnerabilities within the ecosystem. This circumstance highlights the importance of vigilance and proactive measures developers must take to safeguard their projects. Ryan Dahl emphasizes the role of tools like Socket, which offer developers resources to protect against malicious dependencies, thereby safeguarding the integrity of open-source software. This growing awareness around security has become crucial as many developers rely heavily on open-source libraries in their applications.
The Future of JavaScript and Open Source Licensing
Ryan Dahl has also taken a firm stance on the future of JavaScript, advocating for the release of the JavaScript trademark currently held by Oracle. His open letter aims to highlight the absence of significant contributions from Oracle towards the development of JavaScript, arguing that the trademark hinders the evolution of the language. Dahl emphasizes that JavaScript, as a fundamental technology of the web, should not be restricted by corporate interests and instead belong to the community. This initiative seeks to mobilize support from developers to challenge the trademark and restructure the governance of the language.
Deno's Growth as a Commercial Entity
Deno has evolved not just as an open-source project but as a commercial entity focused on providing substantial infrastructure for developers. Ryan Dahl discusses the dual nature of Deno as both a free platform and a service offering cloud hosting solutions that are complementary to its functionality. This structure allows the Deno team to innovate continuously while also generating revenue to support development. The balance between open-source contributions and commercial endeavors represents a thoughtful approach to sustaining the ecosystem while serving developer needs effectively.
Jerod is joined by Ryan Dahl to discuss his second take on leveling up JavaScript developers all around the world. Jerod asks Ryan why not try to fix or fork Node instead of starting fresh, how Deno (the open source project) can avoid the all too common rug pull (not cool) scenario, what’s new in Deno 2 & their pragmatic decision to support npm, they talk JSR, they talk Deno KV & SQLite, they even talk about Ryan’s open letter to Oracle in an attempt to free the unused “JavaScript” trademark from the giant’s clutches.
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