Cloudflare, a global CDN service, is currently collaborating with Deno and individual core contributors to the open-source Node.js project, bringing together three of the most popular JavaScript environments. It would provide freedom and choice to developers while determining the future of edge computing standards.
The project will strive to ensure that code written in one environment will function in another by utilizing a common set of standards. Any developer would be able to create and run code that complies with the standards and move it across Cloudflare Workers, Deno, and Node.js without rebuilding an application.
Matthew Prince, who serves the role of Co-Founder and CEO of Cloudflare, had the following to say:
Cloudflare Workers has helped to define the standard for edge computing. Since 2017, more than 450,000 developers have built on Cloudflare’s developer platform, and more than three million applications have been launched. But we know we’re not going to be the only ones. We think that standards are important to driving the industry forward. That’s why we’re proud to be working with these other organizations in the serverless computing space to help define the standard for an edge – what we believe will be the standard by which the applications of the future are developed.
According to Cloudflare, it is difficult to move an application after it has been developed from one environment to another. This may result in development teams keeping costly architecture and wasting resources in order to ensure that their code and apps continue to function for consumers when they migrate to new environments.
Three of the most popular JavaScript environments on the market today are Cloudflare, Deno, and Node.js. As a consequence of this effort, developers will benefit from universal standards because they will be able to easily work across all settings based on their business needs and have confidence that their code will perform for users today and in the future.
Today Cloudflare is announcing the open sourcing of the Workers runtime under the Apache-2.0 license! https://t.co/yWtE4SYjE4 #PlatformWeek
— Cloudflare (@Cloudflare) May 9, 2022
Myles Borins, who serves the role of Member of the Node.js Technical Steering Committee at JavaScript, had the following to say:
The future of JavaScript is Universal, the ability to move JavaScript between many environments. That future needs to be intentionally designed. Historically developers have had to rely on tacit knowledge and build tools to share code across the various JavaScript runtimes. The promise of ‘write once, run anywhere’ will only be possible with collaborative initiatives like the Web-interoperable Runtimes Community Group.
Luca Casonato, who serves the role of Software Engineer at Deno, had the following to say:
Deno’s broad ecosystem success can be attributed in large part to our strict adherence to web platform standards. We knew from the start that Deno could only be successful if it went all-in on browser interoperability – developers and broad ecosystem trends have shown us this bet was right. In addition to our existing standards work with the WHATWG and W3C, we’re excited to be working with Cloudflare and Node.js collaborators on even better runtime interoperability.
Matteo Collina, who serves the role of Chief Software Architect of NearForm and Node.js Technical Steering Committee member, had the following to say:
Developers are asking Node.js for more interoperability with APIs defined by web standards. However, those APIs have not been designed with servers in mind and might require some adaptations. The WinterCG group’s goal is to define how those APIs would behave on servers, paving the way for better interoperability between runtimes.
Guillermo Rauch, who serves the role of CEO at Vercel, had the following to say:
Vercel enables frontend developers to build agile Web experiences at the Edge. We are committed to investing in Edge-first frameworks, like Next.js and SvelteKit, while creating and supporting the foundational standards of open-source software. Joining the Web-interoperable Runtimes Community Group will help us further our goal of building a flexible and open Web for all.
The Web-interoperable Runtimes Community Group is working with industry heavyweights like NearForm and Vercel to ensure that developers’ voices are heard in the development of a new community group that will operate inside existing standards organizations.
Developers can use the new API Standards to employ the best tool or framework for the job. It would be easier to use community-developed tools and cross-runtime connectors, enabling developers to choose the best tool for the job. They can also use a consistent strategy while building server-side code and ship better code by minimizing platform-specific nuances and the need to know many systems. Finally, developers will be able to change applications as technology demands without major rewrites or adding or relocating vendors.
