Node.js 20 has been released with improvements including a new Node.js experimental Permission Model and a stable test_runner module.

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform asynchronous event driven JavaScript runtime built on Chrome's JavaScript engine. It uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O mode and executes JavaScript code outside web browsers.

Node.js 20 is the "Current" release for the next six months. It will enter long-term support (LTS) in October at which point it will be the recommended version for full production deployments

The new experimental Permission Model is designed to provide a way to achieve better security by allowing restriction of access to specific resources during the program execution. It works via a flag which, when enabled, restricts access to all available permissions. The ability to access the filesystem, spawn process, and create worker_threads can be restricted.

The new release also has updated the V8 JavaScript engine to version 11.3. This adds five new features including checking that a string prototype is well formed; methods that change Array and TypedArray by copy; and resizable ArrayBuffer and growable SharedArrayBuffer.

There's also now a stable version of the test runner that was experimental in Node.js 19. The runner facilitates the creation of JavaScript tests.

Support has also been added for single executable apps. These can be distributed without Node.js being installed. The technique compiles your project into a binary for distribution. The Node.js developers say that Electron, an OpenJS Foundation project, is already using it, and Microsoft, an OpenJS Foundation member, is investigating it as a way to reduce vector attacks.

Node.js 20 is downloadable now.

More Information

Node.js Foundation Homepage

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