Howdy, folks!👋
Bun, a new JavaScript runtime that entered beta in July 2022, has generated significant buzz within the JavaScript community, v1.0 is out! Developers are enthusiastic about it for several reasons.
What is Bun
Firstly, Bun is described as "a fast all-in-one JavaScript runtime" and is developed by Jarred Sumner using the Zig programming language. It joins the ranks of Deno.js and Node.js, but what sets it apart is its focus on delivering exceptional speed and enhanced complexity.
JavaScript has evolved significantly over the years, with features like ES modules and async/await that were not present when Node.js was initially created by Ryan Dahl in 2009. Dahl's own regrets about certain aspects of Node.js led to the development of Deno.js in 2020, built with Rust to address issues related to security, performance, and native TypeScript support. Despite Deno's advantages, it hasn't seen widespread adoption, partly due to the need for rewriting npm packages.
Bun, on the other hand, has sparked excitement for its high-speed performance and compatibility with Node.js, leading some to speculate that it could be a "Node-killer."
How does Bun.js differ from Deno.js and Node.js?
While Node.js, Deno.js, and Bun.js are all runtimes for JavaScript outside the browser, there are significant differences among them. Node.js is written in C++, Deno.js in Rust, and Bun.js in Zig. Bun.js leverages Zig's attributes, such as clear control flow and low-level memory control, to make it easier to write fast software.
In terms of performance, Bun.js stands out. It uses Webkit's JavaScriptCore engine, the same engine that powers Apple's Safari, for a "fast start," and benchmark results on its website show it consistently outperforming both Node.js and Deno.js by at least three times.
Bun.js also supports TypeScript and simplifies the installation of packages from npm with its built-in npm manager, making it up to 20 times faster than Node.js. Additional features include an integrated SQLite3 client, web APIs like get and WebSocket, automatic loading of environment variables, and a built-in test runner.
Of the three runtimes, Bun.js excels in terms of performance, Deno.js is known for its security, and Node.js boasts the largest and most stable community.
Will Bun.js actually make an impact on the ecosystem?
The JavaScript ecosystem is indeed excited about Bun.js. The hype surrounding its release is significant, and JavaScript developers are eager to explore its exceptional speed and robust tooling for productivity. The Bun.js Discord server already has a thriving community of over 2000 members, indicating strong enthusiasm for this new technology.
What's the future outlook for Bun.js, Node.js, and Deno.js
JavaScript is here to stay, and Bun.js, Node.js, and Deno.js all have their roles in its future. Node.js, with its recent release of version 20, remains a staple in many businesses and startups, including giants like PayPal.
Deno.js is actively evolving and expanding, aiming to become a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform for managing JavaScript runtime services.
While Bun.js shows promise, it's still in the early stages and has limited support, particularly on Windows where it requires Windows Subsystem for Linux to run. It's not yet suitable for production-ready software, and there's work to be done to mature it.
In conclusion, Bun.js has stirred up excitement in the JavaScript community with its promise of high-speed performance and innovative features, offering a compelling alternative to Node.js and Deno.js. Its future impact on the ecosystem remains to be seen, but it's clear that JavaScript developers are eager to embrace this new technology.
To get started with Bun.js and explore its capabilities, visit the https://bun.sh/ website.
Until next time....
Top comments (2)
The biggest hesitation for me to use bun is that it doesn't support Next 13 yet. Sure, it can still be used as a package manager, but that's not enough of a benefit to bring more tools to my workflow. I hope that the missing Node APIs will be implemented in the near future.
Thank you for your feedback, Nico. Looks like Bun is an evolving project. Let's keep an eye on updates, as support for Next.js 13 may be added soon.