New “Current” version line focuses on performance improvements, increased reliability and better security for its 3.5 million users - https://nodejs.org/en/blog/announcements/v6-release/
Node.js v6 just got released - let's take a look at the improvements and new features landed in this release.
Performance Improvements
- Module loading got 4-times faster compared to the current LTS version (Node.js v4). This helps developers to shorten the bootstrap phase of the applications.
- Updated V8 engine
Security Improvements
Math.random- improved security, but note, that it is still not cryptographically secure- For more information, check: http://v8project.blogspot.hu/2015/12/theres-mathrandom-and-then-theres.html
- New Buffer API to reduce the risk of bugs and vulnerabilities leaking into applications
New ES6 Features
Default function parameters
function multiply(a, b = 1) {
return a * b
}
multiply(5) // 5
Learn more on the default function parameters.
Rest parameters
function fun1(...theArgs) {
console.log(theArgs.length)
}
fun1() // 0
fun1(5) // 1
fun1(5, 6, 7) // 3
Learn more on the rest parameters.
Spread operator
// before the spread operator
function myFunction(x, y, z) { }
var args = [0, 1, 2]
myFunction.apply(null, args)
// with the spread operator
function myFunction(x, y, z) { }
var args = [0, 1, 2]
myFunction(...args)
Learn more on the spread operator.
Destructuring
var x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
var [y, z] = x
console.log(y) // 1
console.log(z) // 2
Learn more on destructuring.
new.target
function Foo() {
if (!new.target) throw new Error('Foo() must be called with new')
console.log('Foo instantiated with new')
}
Foo() // throws "Foo() must be called with new"
new Foo() // logs "Foo instantiated with new"
Learn more on the new.target.
Proxy
The Proxy object is used to define custom behavior for fundamental operations.
var handler = {
get: function(target, name){
return name in target ? target[name] : 37
}
};
var p = new Proxy({}, handler)
p.a = 1
p.b = undefined
console.log(p.a, p.b) // 1, undefined
console.log('c' in p, p.c) // false, 37
Learn more on proxies.
Reflect
Reflect is a built-in object that provides methods for interceptable JavaScript operations.
Learn more on reflect.
Symbols
A symbol is a unique and immutable data type and may be used as an identifier for object properties.
Symbol("foo") === Symbol("foo"); // false
Learn more on symbols.
Trying Node.js v6
If you are using nvm, you only have to:
nvm install 6
If you for some reason cannot use nvm, you can download the binary from the official Node.js website.
When should I migrate to Node 6?
In October Node.js v6 will become the LTS version - after that, you should make the change.
