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Deno Javascript: Javascript Explained

Table of Contents

Deno is a secure runtime for JavaScript and TypeScript, created by Ryan Dahl, original creator of Node.js. It is a modern, experimental platform built with the latest web standards, offering a more secure environment for developing and running Javascript applications. In this article, we’ll take a look at what Deno is, its benefits, and how developers can use it in their projects. We’ll also compare it to Node.js and look at some of its security aspects. Lastly, we’ll provide tips for getting started with Deno.

What is Deno Javascript?

Deno is an open source, server-side JavaScript runtime environment created in 2018 by Ryan Dahl. It is built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript Engine and uses modern web standards like ECMAScript modules. Deno expands on Node.js by offering features like TypeScript support, WebCrypto API and access to the browser’s File System API. Many of its features are designed to be less susceptible to security vulnerabilities. Deno doesn’t require the use of a package manager, like npm (Node Package Manager). The platform can be used to build anything from small scripts to large applications. Most of the libraries that support Node.js may be used in Deno as well.

Deno also provides a built-in testing framework, allowing developers to easily create and run tests for their applications. It also has a built-in code formatter, which helps developers to keep their code consistent and organized. Deno also supports the use of third-party libraries, allowing developers to easily integrate existing code into their projects. Finally, Deno is designed to be highly performant, allowing developers to create applications that are both fast and reliable.

Benefits of Deno Javascript

Deno offers many advantages over Node.js, such as improved security and performance. Since it isn’t supported by a package manager like npm, Deno has an improved security model that reduces the likelihood of malicious codes being injected into the runtime. This makes Deno an ideal platform for developing applications that require security protocols like authentication and encryption. In addition, Deno also performs better than Node.js due to its lack of reliance on Gulp and Webpack. For example, Deno requires fewer write operations, which in turn reduces memory consumption.

Deno also provides a more modern development experience than Node.js. It uses the latest version of JavaScript, ES2020, and supports TypeScript out of the box. This makes it easier for developers to write code that is more secure and maintainable. Furthermore, Deno also has a built-in dependency inspector that allows developers to quickly identify and fix any issues with their code. This makes it easier to debug and maintain applications written in Deno.

Using Deno Javascript in Your Projects

To start using Deno of your projects, you’ll first need to install it on your machine. You can do this through installing the latest version (v1.0.2) or downloading the tar file. Then, you can start using Deno by writing simple scripts or complex applications using your favorite code editor. You can also use TypeScript in your projects and compile the code into JavaScript from Deno itself. To run your script code, you just need to type the “deno run” command followed by your script file.

Deno also provides a built-in package manager, allowing you to easily install and manage third-party packages. This makes it easy to add additional functionality to your projects without having to write the code yourself. Additionally, Deno provides a secure sandbox environment, which helps to protect your code from malicious attacks and other security risks.

Comparing Deno to Node.js

When comparing Deno to Node.js it is important to note that there are some differences in both platform’s security, performance and development experience. The main difference between them lies in the way they are built: Node.js is based on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine and uses a package manager, while Deno is built on a Rust-based TypeScript engine and doesn’t rely on a package manager. This gives Deno an edge when it comes to security and performance, while Node.js has the edge when it comes to development experience since it is more widely used.

Another key difference between Deno and Node.js is the way they handle dependencies. Node.js requires developers to manually install and manage dependencies, while Deno automatically downloads and caches dependencies when needed. This makes Deno much easier to use and maintain, as developers don’t need to worry about managing dependencies.

Security Aspects of Deno

As previously mentioned, Deno offers a more secure runtime for scripting compared to Node.js due to its lack of reliance on a package manager. This means that the chances of malicious codes being injected into the runtime are minimized. In addition, Deno also has some built-in security protocols like sandboxing, which ensures that scripts run in isolation from the host system. This makes Deno an ideal platform for developing secure applications.

Deno also provides a secure module loading system, which prevents malicious code from being loaded into the runtime. This system is based on the URL of the module, and only modules from trusted sources are allowed to be loaded. This ensures that only secure code is executed in the runtime, and any malicious code is blocked from being loaded.

Debugging with Deno

Debugging your code with Deno is similar to how you would debug with Node.js. Rather than relying on a package manager like npm, Deno has built-in debugging capabilities that you can use directly with the deno command line tool. With the deno command line tool, you can inspect and debug variables, take a look at the source code and set breakpoints.

In addition to the deno command line tool, Deno also provides a built-in debugger that you can use to debug your code. The debugger allows you to step through your code line by line, inspect variables, and set breakpoints. You can also use the debugger to view the call stack and view the source code of any function that is currently being executed.

Working with Third-Party Modules in Deno

Third-party modules can be imported into Deno using URLs rather than packages like in Node.js. For example, if you wanted to use a package from GitHub, you would have to point the script to the URL of the repository from which the module is stored. You can also bundle your own code modules into a single script file and import it into other scripts.

Common Use Cases for Deno Javascript

Deno is a great platform for developing small scripts that can be used as command line utilities or automation tasks. For example, you can use deno script to create a file monitoring system or a simple website scraper. Additionally, you can also use it to build complex back-end applications such as APIs or web servers.

Tips for Getting Started with Deno

Deno is a great tool for developers who want to build secure applications without having to worry about malicious codes being injected into the runtime. To get started with Deno, you should first learn some basic concepts like TypeScript and how to use it with Deno as well as become familiar with its command line tool for debugging and running scripts. Additionally, if you are working with third-party modules, you should ensure that you are aware of the URL from which they are imported from. With these tips in mind, you should be able to get started with Deno in no time.

Sarang Sharma

Sarang Sharma

Sarang Sharma is Software Engineer at Bito with a robust background in distributed systems, chatbots, large language models (LLMs), and SaaS technologies. With over six years of experience, Sarang has demonstrated expertise as a lead software engineer and backend engineer, primarily focusing on software infrastructure and design. Before joining Bito, he significantly contributed to Engati, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing and developing advanced software solutions. His career began with foundational experiences as an intern, including a notable project at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, to develop an assistive website for the visually challenged.

Written by developers for developers

This article was handcrafted with by the Bito team.

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