Podcast Summary
Dino simplification: Dino, a server-side JavaScript system, simplifies development by providing an easy-to-use, out-of-the-box solution using web standards and popular frameworks like Next.js, making it an excellent choice for newcomers to the JavaScript ecosystem.
Dino, a server-side JavaScript system, aims to simplify the use of JavaScript for web development by providing an easy-to-use, out-of-the-box solution. Created by Ryan Dahl, the mind behind Node.js, Dino was designed to address the complexities and disparate tooling in the Node.js ecosystem. Dino's goal is to make server-side JavaScript as beautiful and accessible as possible, using web standards and simplifying the development process. With Dino 2.0, users can now use popular frameworks like Next.js, making it a more versatile and attractive option for developers. Despite being opinionated and not ideal for advanced users in all cases, Dino's ease of use and all-in-one development setup make it an excellent choice for newcomers to the JavaScript ecosystem. Dino's approach to simplification and experimentation has led to significant progress in supporting NPM packages, making it a viable option for developers who need to use these packages in their projects. Overall, Dino represents a refreshing and innovative approach to server-side JavaScript development, focusing on ease of use and accessibility for developers of all skill levels.
Node.js packages and APIs in Dino Run: Dino Run is making progress towards supporting Node.js packages and APIs by reimplementing node APIs and handling package JSON, but not all packages will work without modifications, and the team is considering a transition from CommonJS to ESM.
Dino Run, a new runtime for Deno, is making significant strides towards supporting Node.js packages and APIs. This involves reimplementing many node APIs and handling package JSON, which is a complex process. While most built-in node APIs can be mapped to Deno equivalents, some intricate ones require lower-level implementation. Supporting node modules and handling package JSON is also a substantial undertaking. Not all node packages will work without modifications, especially those relying on APIs not present in Deno. The team is considering a gradual transition away from CommonJS towards ESM, but for now, Dino supports both. The goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible for developers, while pushing the industry towards the benefits of ESM.
Deno's adoption of package.json: Deno adopted package.json for compatibility and user-friendliness, offering two modes of operation for seamless transition from Node.js and simplified development with improved security and faster performance.
Deno, a new JavaScript runtime, introduced the use of package.json to make it more compatible with existing software and to provide a more transparent and user-friendly experience. Deno's decision to adopt package.json was driven by the widespread use of this format in the software community and the desire to create a browser-compatible way of sharing modules. Deno offers two modes of operation: one with a package.json file and another with import maps. This duality allows users to smoothly transition from their existing codebase to Deno while still benefiting from its secure-by-default approach and fast performance. For developers with Node.js applications, moving to Deno can result in simplified development experiences, improved security, and reduced configuration requirements. Additionally, Deno's TypeScript support and built-in linter make the development process even more efficient. While there are some gotchas to be aware of during the transition, the overall process should be relatively smooth. Furthermore, Deno's performance is significantly better than Node.js, making websites and applications run faster.
Server-side JavaScript security: Dino, a new JavaScript runtime, offers better performance and features, but security concerns with post-install scripts and potential R&D role for Node.js require a reevaluation of server-side JavaScript development for long-term improvements, with Dino 2 and Loom/Loomay as potential solutions.
When it comes to server-side JavaScript, the focus should be on long-term development and infrastructure improvements. Dino, a new JavaScript runtime, is gaining popularity for its better performance and features like V8 code caching and best-in-class cold start time on AWS Lambda. However, the discussion also touched upon the importance of security, specifically in relation to post-install scripts, which can pose a significant risk. Node.js, the current market leader, is also evolving with new features, but there's a concern that Dino might act as an R&D shop for these advancements. The consensus is that it's crucial to reevaluate server-side JavaScript development and make it more secure and efficient for the long run. Dino 2, with its security improvements and easy implementation, is seen as a step in the right direction. Another noteworthy project in the Dino ecosystem is Loom or Loomay, a static site generator and CMS, which has garnered significant attention due to its impressive capabilities.
GPU-accelerated web apps with Dino: Dino is an innovative web framework enabling GPU-accelerated rendering of web apps without a web browser, promoting modern ESM JavaScript development and aiming to consume, not create, modern JavaScript software, with a goal of standardizing file system APIs and being TypeScript-friendly
Dino is an innovative web framework that allows for GPU-accelerated rendering of web applications without the need for a web browser. It's part of a larger community developing desktop applications using Dino, which encourages modern ESM (ES Module) JavaScript development. Dino aims to consume modern JavaScript software rather than having developers write specifically for the framework. While there are APIs available, the goal is to make JavaScript development as simple as possible, with the eventual hope of standardizing file system APIs across different JavaScript runtimes. The Dino Standard Library, which is part of the JavaScript Standard Library, is a step towards this goal. Additionally, the library is TypeScript-friendly, and JSR, the organization behind Dino, recently published a TypeScript compiler. The future of JavaScript development may involve TypeScript becoming the standard, with type checking and type stripping being distinct complexities.
JavaScript types evolution: Adding types to JavaScript through tools like TypeScript enhances code understanding, scalability, and is a crucial step for the language's future growth.
Adding types to JavaScript, through tools like TypeScript, is a necessary step for the language's future growth. While browsers may not adopt built-in type checking, the benefits of having types, such as improved scalability and code understanding, are significant. TypeScript's iterations, like the potential emergence of a simpler version, may cater to various use cases. Regarding non-standard language features, opinions vary. Dino, a JavaScript runtime, has made strides in supporting Jupyter notebooks, which could encourage more data science work in JavaScript. The potential shift from Python to JavaScript for data science and AI is promising, with tools like TensorFlow.js and pollers maturing. However, it may take time for JavaScript to fully compete with Python's established ecosystem. Wasm, while a promising concept, is not yet ready to replace containers or completely offload computations to the browser.
WebAssembly and JavaScript: WebAssembly (Wasm) is a subset of JavaScript, useful for compiling binaries and executing them in JavaScript within Wasm. Deno2, a new version of Deno runtime, is production-ready with long-term support and enterprise features.
WebAssembly (Wasm) is seen as a subset of JavaScript, with the latter serving as the umbrella technology. Most web developers prefer writing JavaScript and don't want to deal with additional build steps or slower execution times in Wasm. However, Wasm does have its uses, such as compiling image magic into binary and executing it in JavaScript within Wasm. Deno2, a new version of the Deno runtime, is ready for production use with long-term support and workspace features. It is not expected to undergo major changes post-Deno2. For those using Deno in larger enterprises, support and direct communication with the team can be accessed through dino.com/enterprise. Ryan's personal recommendation, or "sick pick," is to relax in McCarran Park in Brooklyn with a blanket, babies, and a beer on a Saturday.