Educational Article

What is Deno? Deno is an exciting new runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript that solves many issues developers face with Node.js. Its developer-frie...

whatdeno?

What is Deno?


Deno is an exciting new runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript that solves many issues developers face with Node.js. Its developer-friendly features and improved security model have quickly made it a popular choice among the tech community.


The Creation of Deno


Deno was created by Ryan Dahl, the original developer of Node.js. After years of working with Node.js, he started to see its flaws and decided to create something better. Deno aims to rectify the issues he found with Node.js while also incorporating the latest advancements in JavaScript.


Major Improvements over Node.js


Deno brings several key improvements over Node.js:


  • Security: One of the main goals of Deno is to provide a more secure environment for running scripts. Unlike Node.js, Deno does not provide unfettered access to your file system, network, or environment by default. Instead, explicit permission must be given.

  • Built-in TypeScript support: TypeScript, a statically-typed superset of JavaScript, is becoming increasingly popular among developers. Unlike Node.js, Deno provides out-of-the-box support for TypeScript, eliminating the need for additional tooling.

  • Standard library: Deno comes with a robust standard library, including utilities for testing, dates, and other common tasks.

  • ES Modules: Deno uses ES Modules as its official module system, which is the standard in modern JavaScript. This eliminates the need for a package manager like npm.

  • How to Start Using Deno


    To get started with Deno, you will need to install it on your system. Once installed, you can start a new Deno project by creating a new .ts (TypeScript) or .js (JavaScript) file and running it with the deno run command.


    Remember, Deno is secure by default, meaning you will need to provide permissions for specific operations. For example, if your script needs to access the network, you will need to use the --allow-net flag when running your script.


    Conclusion


    In summary, Deno is an exciting new runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript that provides a more secure environment, built-in TypeScript support, a robust standard library, and uses ES Modules. It offers significant improvements over Node.js and is worth exploring for any developer or tech enthusiast.


    While Deno is still relatively new, it has a growing community and a rapidly evolving ecosystem. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting your coding journey, Deno is a promising tool to add to your arsenal.

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