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Do you know why most businesses these days hire a NodeJs developer? The answer is simple. It allows them to build a robust and feature-rich web application with NodeJs. But the capabilities of NodeJs are not limited to this.
The open-source JavaScript runtime has gained popularity in the last few years. And it remains on the top in this competitive space, thanks to continuous updates and improvements. Being an experienced NodeJs development company, we can vouch that it will flourish in the years to come. The core team is constantly working to make NodeJs better than before.
Today, we will talk about the latest update of NodeJs. That is NodeJs 16 is available in AWS Lambda. It is a serverless computing platform by Amazon Web Services. With AWS Lambda, businesses can integrate their application server needs with mass-mailing services. It allows them to combine all functionalities under one roof, which improves the workflow of the team. In short, it ensures better productivity and efficiency while saving administrative costs.
We will also find out how the combination of NodeJs 16 and AWS Lambda benefits developers and businesses. However, NodeJs development services providers were eagerly waiting for this update.
What does AWS Lambda supporting NodeJs 16 runtime mean?
According to the recent announcement by Amazon Web Services (AWS), NodeJs 16 is compatible with AWS Lambda. It refers to a Function as a Service (FaaS). Plus, it is an active Long Term Support mode.
AWS Lambda supports NodeJs 16, which means development companies or developers must specify this version for building or creating functions. Besides this, they must have relevant managed runtime base images. Moreover, NodeJs 16 runtime has support from functions by x86-based processors or Arm-based AWS Graviton2 processors. As a result, they help you ensure 34% better price performance.
Now, NodeJs development services providers can build AWS Lambda functions for their clients. But for this, they should rely on the latest features of NodeJs. These are:
- Toolchain and compiler improvements
- Consistent timer promises API
- RegExp match indices
- Here are new features that compel you to hire a NodeJs developer
If you are a NodeJs developer or business owner interested in leveraging AWS Lambda functions, here is what you should know.
- AWS SDK for JavaScript
AWS JavaScript SDK version 2 is compatible with NodeJs 16, which handles runtimes and container base images. In some use cases, it is convenient to use the included SDK. One of such scenarios is developers creating short functions through inline functions or the Lambda console. They can also get it done via CloudFormation templates.
However, it is beneficial to add the SDK to the deployment package function. After all, it helps a particular minor version of the package receive a function. And it shields code from behavior changes or SDK API. Now, the question is how to add the SDK? Although you will find it out when you hire a NodeJs developer, we will explain below.
- Firstly, go to the package.json file. Here, you will refer SDK package and version in the dependency object.
- Before you build and distribute the deployment package to the AWS cloud, you need a package manager like yarn or npm for downloading and installing the library locally.
If you choose this route, it is advisable to use the JavaScript SDK version 3. Why? It offers modular packages, which help you decrease the deployment package size. Consequently, it boosts the performance of your function. In addition to this, JavaScript SDK version 3 has better TypeScript compatibility. That means AWS Lambda will work efficiently with the future NodeJs runtimes. So, it makes sense to use this version. If you want to get it done right, hire a NodeJs developer with years of experience and necessary expertise.
- Language improvements
The latest release also serves Lambda customers with improved NodeJs 16 language features and functionalities. These include:
- Toolchain and compiler updates like pre-built binaries for Apple Silicon.
- Faster calls with an argument size mismatch
- Steady timers promises API
- An update to V8 release 9.4
- RegExp match indices
If you want to take advantage of these updates in your Lambda, hire a NodeJs developer. To help understand better, we have explained all updates below.
- Pre-built binaries for Apple Silicon
There is an advantage for NodeJs development services providers. That is, NodeJs 16 is the earliest runtime to support pre-built binaries for Apple Silicon. It allows developers to build Lambda functions for businesses that use Apple computers with M1 processors. The best thing is the entire process is smooth and hassle-free.
- RegExp match indices
Another great update is RegExp match indices. It enables developers to obtain an array of open and close indices of a regular expression’s recorded string. If you wish to access this feature, hire a NodeJs developer with relevant skillsets. They will use the “/d†flag in the regular expression by running the following command.
// handler.js
exports.lambdaHandler = async () => {
const matcher = /(AWS )(Lambda)/d.exec('AWS Lambda');
console.log("match: " + matcher.indices[0]) // 0,10
console.log("first capture group: " + matcher.indices[1]) // 0,4
console.log("second capture group: " + matcher.indices[2]) // 4,10
}
- Stable timers promises API
When it comes to timers promises API, NodeJs development services providers use to add functions, which return promise objects. It boosts the functionality for handling timers. You can access this feature using CommonJS and ES modules.
For example, you want to make your function an ES module. Here is what you can do. Change the handler file name extension to .mjs. The other option is defining “type†as “module†in the package.json file of the function. Run the following command:
// index.mjs
import { setTimeout } from 'timers/promises';
exportasync function handler() {
awaitsetTimeout(2000);
return;
}
- Compatibility with TypeScript
NodeJs developers use TypeScript to develop code in Lambda. The new update comes with extensive documentation on working with TypeScript in Lambda. It ensures better support for programmers using TypeScript. Also, the team has included beta TypeScript support for the AWS SAM CLI.
In the coming future, you may expect a TypeScript version of Lambda PowerTools. It will be a suite of tools developers need for simplifying practices like tracing, custom metrics, and structured logging. A piece of advice, you should hire a NodeJs developer who stays abreast with the latest updates and trends. They will update your Lambda function wherever there are any improvements.
- Amazon Linux 2
Like Java 11, Python 3.9, and NodeJs 14, the NodeJs 16 runtime use an Amazon Linux 2 execution environment. The purpose of Amazon Linux 2 is to ensure a stable, high-performing, and secure execution environment for developers. It allows them to create and run enterprise applications and the cloud. Hire a NodeJs developer to leverage this execution environment.
- Runtime upgrades
Lastly, it is crucial that your Lambda functions run securely. Considering this, AWS will bring new NodeJs 16 runtime updates. However, you can access these improvements if using the zip archive format.
The crux
Since AWS Lambda supports NodeJs 16, you hire a NodeJs developer to get started. However, when building Lambda functions using NodeJs 16, it is crucial to specify a runtime parameter value of nodejs16.x. In addition to this, make sure you use a zip archive packaging format.
If you need more such blogs on NodeJs and other technologies, SoftProdigy is your top seed. Plus, you can hire NodeJs developers to fulfill your web application development needs.
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