Introduction to Deno and Deno 2 Features

Oct 15, 2024

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Lecture Notes: Introduction to Deno and Deno 2

Speaker: Ryan Dahl

  • Creator of Node.js and Deno
  • Emphasizes simplicity in programming
  • Frustrated by the complexity of Node.js today

Introduction to Deno

  • Deno aims to simplify programming processes
  • Comes with TypeScript, all-in-one tooling, and web-standard APIs
  • Secure by default, dependencies do not have full access to the computer
  • Compatible with NPM packages

Deno 2 Release Highlights

  • Built on JavaScript, supports TypeScript
  • Bridges gap between browser and server-side JavaScript
  • All-in-one toolchain for JavaScript development
  • Secure by default and backwards compatible with Node

Features of Deno

Simplified TypeScript Programming

  • No need for package.json or node_modules
  • Example: Listing files in a directory using Deno's dino.readdir

Built-in Tooling

  • Deno includes tools like Deno format, Deno check, Deno lint

Deno Compile

  • Bundles your JavaScript with the runtime into a binary
  • Cross-compilation support

New Features in Deno 2

Ecosystem Compatibility

  • Backwards compatibility with Node using ESM
  • Understands package.json, Node modules, npm workspaces
  • Supports NPM packages including those with native extensions

Package Management

  • New commands: Deno install, Deno add, Deno remove
  • Introduces JSR, a modern registry for JavaScript and TypeScript
  • Stabilized Deno standard library and published to JSR

Enterprise Features

  • Supports private registries and monorepo with Deno Workspaces
  • Long-term support (LTS) starting with Deno 2.1

Performance and Additional Features

  • Deno's HTTP server has high throughput
  • Benchmarks show strong performance
  • Support for WebGPU, FFI, and more

Deno and Jupyter Notebooks

  • Supports executing Deno code within Jupyter
  • Demonstration of visualizing data with observable plot

Deno's Approach to Security

  • Restricts I/O operations by default
  • Allows developers to opt-in to file system and network access

Future Enhancements and Community Engagement

  • Ongoing discussions about bundling
  • Plans for further integration with Node tools
  • Active community and support for contributions

Deno 2 Team Presentation

  • Team members introduced and their contributions to Deno 2

Q&A Highlights

  • Challenges with compatibility and bundling
  • Excitement about new features and future directions
  • Discussion on specific use cases like Electron and Puppeteer

Conclusion

  • Deno 2 offers a significant update with improved compatibility, security, and performance
  • Encourages developers to explore and contribute to Deno's future

Key Takeaways

  • Deno simplifies JavaScript and TypeScript development
  • Secure and modern approach to package management
  • Strong community and continuous improvement
  • Ready for production and enterprise-level projects

Note: For detailed technical guidance, refer to Deno's documentation and community resources.