"Node.js: Understanding the Difference Between Current and LTS Versions"
Published: 2024-06-27 15:12:56

Introduction
Node.js is a powerful runtime environment that allows developers to execute JavaScript on the server side. As with any software, Node.js receives regular updates to improve performance, add new features, and enhance security. Understanding the different versions of Node.js, particularly the Current and Long-Term Support (LTS) versions, is crucial for making informed decisions about which version to use for your projects.

**What is Node.js?**
Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that allows developers to build server-side applications using JavaScript. It is built on the V8 JavaScript engine and is widely used for developing scalable network applications.

V8 is Google’s open source high-performance JavaScript and WebAssembly engine, written in C++. It is used in Chrome and in Node.js, among others. It implements ECMAScript and WebAssembly, and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems that use x64, IA-32, or ARM processors. V8 can be embedded into any C++ application.

**The History of Node.js**
Node.js was created by Ryan Dahl and first released in 2009, about 13 years after the introduction of the first server-side JavaScript environment, Netscape's LiveWire Pro Web. The initial release supported only Linux and Mac OS X. Its development and maintenance was led by Dahl and later sponsored by Joyent.

Dahl's goal was to create a more efficient way to build scalable network programs, leveraging the asynchronous, event-driven programming model. Since its inception, Node.js has grown in popularity and become a cornerstone for many modern web development projects.

**Node.js Versioning**
Node.js follows a predictable release cycle with two main types of versions: the Current version and the Long-Term Support (LTS) version.

**Available Node.js Versions**
As of now till 2028, this are the available versions of Node.js:

| Release       | Status            | Code Name       | Release Date  | Maintenance End   |
|---------------|-------------------|-----------------|---------------|-------------------|
| 0.10.x        | End-of-Life       |                 | 2013-03-11    | 2016-10-31        |
| 0.12.x        | End-of-Life       |                 | 2015-02-06    | 2016-12-31        |
| 4.x           | End-of-Life       | Argon           | 2015-09-08    | 2018-04-30        |
| 5.x           | End-of-Life       |                 | 2015-10-29    | 2016-06-30        |
| 6.x           | End-of-Life       | Boron           | 2016-04-26    | 2019-04-30        |
| 7.x           | End-of-Life       |                 | 2016-10-25    | 2017-06-30        |
| 8.x           | End-of-Life       | Carbon          | 2017-05-30    | 2019-12-31        |
| 9.x           | End-of-Life       |                 | 2017-10-01    | 2018-06-30        |
| 10.x          | End-of-Life       | Dubnium         | 2018-04-24    | 2021-04-30        |
| 11.x          | End-of-Life       |                 | 2018-10-23    | 2019-06-01        |
| 12.x          | End-of-Life       | Erbium          | 2019-04-23    | 2022-04-30        |
| 13.x          | End-of-Life       |                 | 2019-10-22    | 2020-06-01        |
| 14.x          | End-of-Life       | Fermium         | 2020-04-21    | 2023-04-30        |
| 15.x          | End-of-Life       |                 | 2020-10-20    | 2021-06-01        |
| 16.x          | End-of-Life       | Gallium         | 2021-04-20    | 2023-09-11        |
| 17.x          | End-of-Life       |                 | 2021-10-19    | 2022-06-01        |
| 18.x          | Maintenance LTS   | Hydrogen        | 2022-04-19    | 2025-04-30        |
| 19.x          | End-of-Life       |                 | 2022-10-18    | 2023-06-01        |
| 20.x          | Active LTS        | Iron            | 2023-04-18    | 2026-04-30        |
| 21.x          | Maintenance       |                 | 2023-10-17    | 2024-06-01        |
| 22.x          | Current           | Jod             | 2024-04-24    | 2027-04-30        |
| 23.x          | Planned           |                 | 2024-10-14    | 2025-06-01        |
| 24.x          | Planned           | Krypton         | 2025-04-22    | 2028-04-30        |

Current Version: Node.js 22.x
The latest release with new features and improvements.
LTS Versions:
Node.js 20.x (Active LTS)
Node.js 18.x (Maintenance LTS)
Node.js 16.x (End-of-Life)


**Current Version of Node.js**
The Current version of Node.js is the latest release that includes the newest features, improvements, and updates. These versions are released approximately every six months, in April and October. Initially, a version is designated as "Current" and receives active feature updates for six months. After this period, it is either transitioned to LTS status or replaced by a new Current version.

**Advantages of the Current Version:**

1. Access to the latest features and improvements.
Ideal for development environments where early adoption of new features is important.
When to Use the Current Version:

2. When you want to leverage the latest advancements in Node.js.
For testing and development purposes, where stability is less critical.

**Long-Term Support (LTS) Version of Node.js**
The LTS version of Node.js is a stable release that is maintained and supported for a longer period, ensuring stability and reliability. A Current version transitions to LTS status one year after its initial release. LTS versions have two phases: Active LTS and Maintenance LTS. Active LTS lasts for 18 months and includes regular updates, while Maintenance LTS lasts for 12 months and includes only critical fixes and security updates.

**Advantages of the LTS Version:**

1. Stability and long-term support.
Suitable for production environments where stability is crucial.
When to Use the LTS Version:

2. For production deployments to ensure stability and reliability.
When long-term support is needed for enterprise projects.


**key differences between Current and LTS versions** 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pzsexx5x2d6r9ptorgzs.png)

| **Aspect**                   | **Current Version**                                            | **LTS Version**                                                 |
|------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Stability vs. New Features**| Focuses on introducing new features and improvements, which may sometimes introduce breaking changes. | Prioritizes stability and long-term support, making it ideal for production use. |
| **Support Duration and Update Frequency** | Supported for six months, with frequent updates and improvements. | Supported for 30 months, with regular updates in the Active LTS phase and critical fixes during Maintenance LTS. |
| **Use Cases**                | Suitable for development environments and early adopters.      | Preferred for production environments and enterprises requiring stable and reliable software. |


**Practical Example: npx create-react-app vs. npm create vite@latest**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kkbzt87no0odt468uk5o.png)

When creating a new React application using npx create-react-app, you might encounter compatibility issues with the latest Node.js Current version. On the other hand, npm create vite@latest, a command for initializing a project using Vite, tends to be more up-to-date with the latest Node.js versions. Therefore, if you face issues with create-react-app, it might be safer to use the LTS version of Node.js, which ensures compatibility and stability.


**Conclusion**

Understanding the differences between the Current and LTS versions of Node.js helps you make informed decisions about which version to use for your projects. While the Current version offers the latest features, the LTS version provides stability and long-term support, making it ideal for production environments.

if you are a newcomer to Node.js, I strongly recommend starting with the LTS version. This will provide you with a stable and reliable environment, allowing you to build a solid foundation. Once you become well-versed in Node.js, you can explore the Current version to take advantage of the latest features and improvements. Choose the version that best fits your project's needs and development stage.

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Reference from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Node.js#:~:text=since%20February%202024-,Node.,and%20later%20sponsored%20by%20Joyent.), Node documentation (https://nodejs.org/en/download/package-manager), V8 Dev(https://v8.dev/) and lastly my favourite AI(ChatGPT(https://chatgpt.com/))