Today marks an exciting milestone for Node.js enthusiasts as the release of version 21.7.0 introduces a slew of powerful features and enhancements. Spearheaded by the contributions of dedicated developers like @RafaelGSS, @marco-ippolito, @yagiznizipli, Ilyas Shabi, Joyee Cheung, and more, this release promises to elevate your Node.js experience to new heights.

Text Styling Made Easy with util.styleText()

In the realm of text styling, the latest version introduces a game-changer – the util.styleText(format, text) function. Crafted by the talented @RafaelGSS, this function empowers developers to format text dynamically, bringing a palette of colors and emphasis options right at your fingertips. Now, with a simple snippet like:

const { styleText } = require('node:util');
const errorMessage = styleText('red', 'Error! Error!');
console.log(errorMessage);

You can make your error messages pop with vibrant hues. A nod to user-friendly interfaces and enhanced debugging experiences.

Seamless Management of Environment Variables

The Node.js 21.7.0 release simplifies handling environment variables with two valuable additions – process.loadEnvFile(path) and util.parseEnv(content). Contributed by @yagiznizipli, these functions streamline the loading and parsing of .env files, allowing developers to effortlessly manage environment configurations.

// Load .env file in the current directory
process.loadEnvFile();

// Load a specific .env file
process.loadEnvFile('./development.env');

// Parse environment variables from a string
require('node:util').parseEnv('HELLO=world');

No more tedious manual configurations – Node.js has your back.

Embracing Multi-line Values in .env Files

Enhancing the flexibility of configuration, Node.js 21.7.0 now supports multi-line values in .env files, thanks to @ilyas-shabi. This feature enables cleaner organization of data, making your configuration files more readable and maintainable.

MULTI_LINE="HELLO
WORLD"

Not on the latest Node.JS version? Check out Multiline Magic in Your Node.JS Environment Variables!

Sea: Dive into Asset Embedding

Ever wanted to embed assets directly into your Node.js application? The new sea module, contributed by Joyee Cheung, allows users to do just that. By including a key-path dictionary in the configuration, users can seamlessly bundle and retrieve assets during runtime. An invaluable addition for creating single-executable applications with embedded resources.

const { getAsset, getAssetAsBlob } = require('node:sea');

const image = getAsset('a.jpg');
// Returns ArrayBuffer

const text = getAsset('b.txt', 'utf8');
// Returns UTF8 string

const blob = getAssetAsBlob('a.jpg');
// Returns Blob

Dynamically Importing with Ease

The release introduces a new capability in the vm module, allowing dynamic imports to be handled effortlessly using the default loader. Contributed by Joyee Cheung, this enhancement simplifies the process, providing a shortcut for dynamic import() in compiled code.

const { Script, constants } = require('node:vm');
const { resolve } = require('node:path');
const { writeFileSync } = require('node:fs');

// Compile a script that supports dynamic import()
const script = new Script( `
(
async function() {
const { filename } = await import('./test.mjs');
return import(filename, { with: { type: 'json' } })
})();`, {
filename: resolve(__dirname, 'test-with-default.js'),
importModuleDynamically: constants.USE_MAIN_CONTEXT_DEFAULT_LOADER, }
);

// { default: { hello: 'world' } }
script.runInThisContext().then(console.log);

Turbocharge Hashing with crypto.hash()

Boosting performance in cryptographic operations, Node.js 21.7.0 introduces crypto.hash(). Developed by Joyee Cheung, this function computes digests from input at one shot, offering significant speed improvements for smaller inputs.

const crypto = require('node:crypto');

// Hashing a string and return the result as a hex-encoded string
const string = 'Node.js';
console.log(crypto.hash('sha1', string));

Conclusion

With version 21.7.0, Node.js continues its tradition of innovation and community collaboration. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting your Node.js journey, these enhancements promise to make your coding experience more enjoyable and efficient. Dive in, explore, and elevate your Node.js projects with the latest and greatest features. Happy coding!