Since its initial release, Deno has been an exciting new runtime that brought fresh ideas to the world of JavaScript and TypeScript development. Created by the original author of Node.js, Ryan Dahl, Deno was designed to fix several of Node's pain points, such as security and modularity.

Now, with the release of Deno 2, the platform has become more mature, with plenty of new features and enhancements that make it an even stronger contender in the world of backend development.

In this post, we’ll explore the exciting new features of Deno 2, compare it with its predecessor (Deno 1), and see how it stacks up against other runtimes like Node.js. Let’s dive in!

Deno 2 brings a host of improvements that make development easier, faster, and more secure. Here are some of the key updates:

1. Built-in Support for npm Packages One of the most significant additions in Deno 2 is the seamless integration with the npm ecosystem. Unlike Deno 1, where compatibility with npm required additional setup, Deno 2 allows developers to easily import and use npm packages, expanding the module ecosystem significantly.

import express from "npm:express";
const app = express();

This makes Deno 2 much more versatile and compatible with popular Node.js libraries.

1. Enhanced Performance
   Deno 2 includes significant performance optimizations, particularly in the areas of cold-start times and memory management. The updated runtime is leaner, which translates to faster application start-up and more efficient resource utilization—great for serverless environments and large-scale apps.

2. Improved Native TypeScript Support
   While Deno 1 came with built-in support for TypeScript, Deno 2 has streamlined the compilation process, reducing overhead and improving the developer experience. TypeScript in Deno 2 is faster, more integrated, and offers improved type-checking performance.

3. Standardized Web APIs
   Deno continues to champion a standards-based approach by including native support for Web APIs like fetch, WebSocket, and URL. In Deno 2, even more Web APIs have been added or improved, making it easier for developers to work in familiar environments.

4. Security Enhancements
   Security has always been one of Deno’s core principles. In Deno 2, the sandboxing of permissions is even more robust, providing a higher level of control over what your code can access. For instance, by default, Deno scripts cannot access the file system, network, or environment variables without explicit permission.
   

deno run --allow-net --allow-read myApp.ts

Why Choose Deno 2?

1. Better Security by Default
   Unlike Node.js, where the environment is more open by default, Deno 2 operates under the principle of secure by default. This ensures that your application only has access to the resources it explicitly needs.

2. First-Class TypeScript Support
   With Deno, there’s no need to set up TypeScript manually. You can write TypeScript out of the box without configuration or separate compilation steps.

3. Natively Supports Web APIs
   Deno offers a runtime environment that closely follows browser standards, making it familiar for front-end developers transitioning to back-end development. This includes native support for the fetch API, Blob, and more.

4. No package.json or node_modules
   Deno handles module imports by URLs, which eliminates the need for managing node_modules or a package.json. This creates a cleaner project structure and easier dependency management.

import { serve } from "https://deno.land/std@0.166.0/http/server.ts";
serve(() => new Response("Hello Deno 2!"));

Deno 2 is a powerful, secure, and fast runtime that solves many of the pain points developers face with traditional Node.js development. With first-class TypeScript support, enhanced security features, and seamless npm integration, it’s an exciting option for both new and experienced developers alike.

If you haven’t already, give Deno 2 a try and explore the growing ecosystem. With its focus on performance, security, and standards, it’s a strong contender for modern JavaScript/TypeScript development.

Deno Doc