Woop woop! THANKS
On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 5:01 PM, Isaac Schlueter <i...@izs.me> wrote: > I am thrilled to announce the arrival of a new stable version of Node.js. > > Compared with the v0.6 releases of Node, this release brings > significant improvements in many key performance metrics, as well as > cleanup in several core APIs, and the addition of new debugging > features. > > ## tl;dr > > With version 0.8.0: > > 1. Node got a lot faster. > 2. Node got more stable. > 3. You can do stuff with file descriptors again. > 4. The [cluster module](http://nodejs.org/api/cluster.html) is much > more awesome. > 5. The [domain module](http://nodejs.org/api/domain.html) was added. > 6. The repl is better. > 7. The build system changed from waf to gyp. > 8. [Some other stuff changed, > too.]( > https://github.com/joyent/node/wiki/API-changes-between-v0.6-and-v0.8) > 9. Scroll to the bottom for the links to install it. > > ## Performance > > This version brings a few key enhancements in V8 and libuv that result > in significantly improved throughput. > > All of these benchmarks were run on my OS X laptop, but the results > are typical of what we're seeing on SmartOS, Linux, and Windows. > > ``` > # io.js > > # 0.6.19, writes > Wrote 1024 byte buffers: 19.428793471925395 mB/s > Wrote 4096 byte buffers: 59.737156511350065 mB/s > Wrote 16384 byte buffers: 83.97010664203543 mB/s > Wrote 65536 byte buffers: 97.4184120798831 mB/s > > # 0.8.0, writes > Wrote 1024 byte buffers: 61.236987140232706 mB/s > Wrote 4096 byte buffers: 109.05125408942203 mB/s > Wrote 16384 byte buffers: 182.18254691200585 mB/s > Wrote 65536 byte buffers: 181.91740949608877 mB/s > > # v0.6.19, reads > Read 1024 byte buffers: 29.96883241428914 mB/s > Read 4096 byte buffers: 62.34413965087282 mB/s > Read 16384 byte buffers: 165.7550140891762 mB/s > Read 65536 byte buffers: 266.73779674579885 mB/s > > # v0.8.0, reads > Read 1024 byte buffers: 57.63688760806916 mB/s > Read 4096 byte buffers: 136.7801942278758 mB/s > Read 16384 byte buffers: 244.8579823702253 mB/s > Read 65536 byte buffers: 302.2974607013301 mB/s > ``` > > The difference is not small. If you are writing network programs with > node, and pushing a lot of traffic, you will notice this improvement. > > The speed of reading files got quite a bit faster as well: > > ``` > # v0.6.19 > read the file 110948 times (higher is better) > 90141.32 ns per read (lower is better) > 11093.69 reads per sec (higher is better) > > # v0.8.0 > read the file 158193 times (higher is better) > 63217.16 ns per read (lower is better) > 15818.48 reads per sec (higher is better) > ``` > > And of course, the ubiquitous 'hello, world' http server benchmark got > significantly faster, especially for large message sizes: > > ``` > $ TYPE=bytes LENGTH=123 bash benchmark/http.sh 2>&1 | grep Req > # 0.6.19 > Requests per second: 3317.24 [#/sec] (mean) > # 0.8.0 > Requests per second: 3795.34 [#/sec] (mean) > > > $ TYPE=bytes LENGTH=1024 bash benchmark/http.sh 2>&1 | grep Req > # v0.6.19 > Requests per second: 3258.42 [#/sec] (mean) > # 0.8.0 > Requests per second: 3585.62 [#/sec] (mean) > > > $ TYPE=bytes LENGTH=123456 bash benchmark/http.sh 2>&1 | grep Req > # v0.6.19 > Requests per second: 218.51 [#/sec] (mean) > # 0.8.0 > Requests per second: 749.17 [#/sec] (mean) > ``` > > The difference with Unicode responses is even more pronounced: > > ``` > $ TYPE=unicode LENGTH=1024 bash benchmark/http.sh 2>&1 | grep Req > # v0.6.19 > Requests per second: 3228.23 [#/sec] (mean) > # v0.8.0 > Requests per second: 3317.60 [#/sec] (mean) > > $ TYPE=unicode LENGTH=12345 bash benchmark/http.sh 2>&1 | grep Req > # v0.6.19 > Requests per second: 1703.96 [#/sec] (mean) > # v0.8.0 > Requests per second: 2431.61 [#/sec] (mean) > > $ TYPE=unicode LENGTH=55555 bash benchmark/http.sh 2>&1 | grep Req > #v0.6.19 > Requests per second: 161.65 [#/sec] (mean) > #v0.8.0 > Requests per second: 980.38 [#/sec] (mean) > > $ TYPE=unicode LENGTH=99999 bash benchmark/http.sh 2>&1 | grep Req > # v0.6.19 > ^C # lost patience after a few hours > # v0.8.0 > Requests per second: 252.69 [#/sec] (mean) > ``` > > The more bytes you're pushing, and the more work you're doing, the > more win you'll see with node 0.8 over 0.6. > > The vast majority of the performance boost is due to improvements in > V8. They've been very responsive to the needs of the Node.js project. > A lot of Node's success is due to being built on such a stellar VM. > > ## Build System > > Since its inception Node has used the WAF build system which is a > Python based system similar to SCons. The Chrome project recently > changed to the GYP meta-build system from SCons. GYP generates > Makefiles, Visual Studio project files, or XCode files depending on > the target. V8, being part of the Chrome project, now defines its > build in GYP. By using GYP, Node is able to: > > - integrate with the optimal build system on all platforms, > - easily able to integrate V8's build process into its own, and > - define its compilation declaratively for better manageability > > GYP was used already in Node v0.6 to build on Windows, but now it > defines the build on all platforms. Node is still in the process of > migrating external addon modules to GYP, and node-gyp is included with > npm. In future releases, node-waf will be officially deprecated. If > you are currently using a wscript in your addon, please migrate to gyp > as soon as possible. > > > ## Stabler > > The transition from libev and libeio to libuv in 0.6 was somewhat > destabilizing for many node internals. The gambit paid off: libuv is > the obvious choice in cross-platform asynchronous IO libraries, and > Node.js is impressively performant on both Windows and Unix. But it > made the transition from 0.4 to 0.6 was very rocky for a lot of users. > Libuv wasn't as mature as node, and it showed in those early releases. > > At this point, with very few exceptions, if your v0.6 program doesn't > run on v0.8, it should be easy and obvious to make whatever changes > are necessary. Libuv has come a very long way, and Node 0.8 is a > simpler and more efficient machine as a result. > > See the [migration > wiki]( > https://github.com/joyent/node/wiki/API-changes-between-v0.6-and-v0.8) > for details on the specific APIs that changed. > > ## The Return of File Descriptors > > In Node 0.4, there was a `listenFD` method that servers could use to > listen on a specific file descriptor that was already bound to a > socket or port. In 0.6, that functionality went away, largely because > it was very Unix-specific, and couldn't be easily made to work with > the new cross-platform libuv base. > > Since the most common use case for listenFD was as a method for having > servers in multiple node processes share the same underlying handle, > the `cluster` module was added in its place. However, this still left > a lot of use cases unaddressed, and was a reason why some people could > not use node 0.6 for their programs. > > In 0.8, we've replaced this functionality, as `server.listen({ fd: number > })`. > > The other feature in node 0.4 that got dropped in 0.6 was the ability > to pass arbitrary file descriptors as a child process's stdio, using > the `customFds` array. In Node 0.6, `customFds` could be used to > inherit the parent's stdio handles, but not to pass arbitrary handles > or file descriptors to the child's stdio. Also, there was never a way > to pass more than the standard `in, out, err` trio, so programs that > expected FD 4 to be opened in some specific way were out of luck. > > In 0.8, we've added the `stdio` array on the `child_process.spawn` > options. Pass as many file descriptors, handles, etc. as you like, and > the child process will see them as already-opened FDs. > > ## More Powerful Cluster > > The cluster module in 0.8 is so much improved over 0.6, it's basically > a complete rewrite. The API is mostly backwards compatible, but not > entirely. (See the [migration > wiki]( > https://github.com/joyent/node/wiki/API-changes-between-v0.6-and-v0.8) > for details.) > > Barring these very minor API changes, if you were using cluster in > 0.6, then your program will still work, but it'll be faster and more > well-behaved now. And if you aren't taking advantage of the new > features in 0.8's cluster, you're really missing out. > > There's too much even to do it justice here. Go read [the API > docs](http://nodejs.org/api/cluster.html). > > ## Domains > > The original idea for Domains was a way to join multiple different IO > actions, so that you can have some context when an error occurs. > > Since Ryan discussed the feature with node users at NodeConf Summer > Camp last year, the domains feature has gone through many revisions. > The problem is fairly well understood, but most attempts to solve it > resulted in serious performance regressions, or uncovered difficult > edge cases. > > What we ended up with in 0.8 is a very stripped-down version of this > idea. It's entirely opt-in, with minimal performance impact when it's > used (and none when it isn't). There are a lot of examples in [the API > documentation](http://nodejs.org/api/domain.html), so check them out, > and start handling your crashes smarter. > > The domain module is still experimental. We are looking forward to > your feedback, so please use it and let us know what you think. > > ## Repl, Readline, TTY > > The Repl, Readline, and TTY modules have all had a major facelift. The > interfaces between these three modules are cleaned up and refactored, > removing a lot of common pain points and making it easier to use for > debugging your programs. > > It may seem minor at times, but a good repl dramatically increases the > quality of the overall experience. My personal favorites are: > > 1. Typing `fs` or `net` or `path` will automatically load the module. > 2. Typing `npm install ...` will give you a helpful message. > 3. It doesn't do that stupid thing where long lines wrap and then the > backspace makes it get all confused and crazy. Instead of that, it > does the right thing. > > ## Looking Forward > > Like other even-numbered version families before it, v0.8 will > maintain API and ABI stability throughout its lifetime. > > The v0.6 release family will continue to see releases for critical > bugfixes and security issues through the end of 2012. However, it will > not be the main focus of the core team's attention. > > The v0.9 releases will start in the next couple weeks. The main focus > of v0.9 will be: > > * The HTTP implementation - It has seen a lot of real-world use now, > but the http module is in dire need of a cleanup and refactor. Special > attention will be paid to making the interfaces more consistent, > improve performance, and increase correctness in more edge cases. > * The Streams API - The concept of the Stream API is very core to > node. However, it is also (like HTTP) a feature that grew up > organically, and is now in need of a cleanup. It is currently too hard > to get right, especially regarding error handling. > * Libuv Streams - The handle interfaces in libuv are going to be > refactored for added consistency throughout the codebase and across > platforms. > > Looking past that, there are a few areas where Node.js still has room > for improvement in terms of internal consistency, idiomatic JavaScript > usage, and performance. None of these are fully-fleshed out ideas yet, > but these are some of the items on our radar: > > * We ought to move to TypedArrays in favor of Buffers. Buffers will > continue to work, but since TypedArray is a JavaScript native, it > makes sense to move towards that as the preferred API. > > * SSL performance leaves much to be desired at the moment. Node's > interface with OpenSSL is somewhat naive and leaves a lot of potential > optimization on the table. > > * The VM module needs massive improvement. It lacks features required > to emulate a web browser JavaScript context, which means that it is > inadequate. > > * The Crypto module still uses some very dated APIs. In 0.8, it can > accept Buffers for many things (finally!) but it still does not > present a Node-like streaming interface. > > At this point, the scope of Node's feature set is pretty much locked > down. We may move things around internally for these cleanup tasks, > but as you can see, there are no major new features planned. We've > drawn our boundaries, and now it's time to continue focusing on > improving stability and performance of the core, so that more > innovation can happen in **your** programs. > > And now, for those of you who may be wondering what was added since > v0.7.12, your regularly scheduled release announcement: > > ## 2012.06.25, Version 0.8.0 (stable) > > * V8: upgrade to v3.11.10.10 > > * npm: Upgrade to 1.1.32 > > * Deprecate iowatcher (Ben Noordhuis) > > * windows: update icon (Bert Belder) > > * http: Hush 'MUST NOT have a body' warnings to debug() (isaacs) > > * Move blog.nodejs.org content into repository (isaacs) > > * Fix #3503: stdin: resume() on pipe(dest) (isaacs) > > * crypto: fix error reporting in SetKey() (Fedor Indutny) > > * Add --no-deprecation and --trace-deprecation command-line flags (isaacs) > > * fs: fix fs.watchFile() (Ben Noordhuis) > > * fs: Fix fs.readfile() on pipes (isaacs) > > * Rename GYP variable node_use_system_openssl to be consistent (Ryan Dahl) > > > Source Code: http://nodejs.org/dist/v0.8.0/node-v0.8.0.tar.gz > > Macintosh Installer (Universal): > http://nodejs.org/dist/v0.8.0/node-v0.8.0.pkg > > Windows Installer: http://nodejs.org/dist/v0.8.0/node-v0.8.0-x86.msi > > Windows x64 Installer: > http://nodejs.org/dist/v0.8.0/x64/node-v0.8.0-x64.msi > > Windows x64 Files: http://nodejs.org/dist/v0.8.0/x64/ > > Other release files: http://nodejs.org/dist/v0.8.0/ > > Website: http://nodejs.org/docs/v0.8.0/ > > Documentation: http://nodejs.org/docs/v0.8.0/api/ > > Shasums: > 0003323c2af7c396273ba728faea9581baecb86f node-v0.8.0-x86.msi > b550e7ef0cae989081f72968049fed3e47d558db node-v0.8.0.pkg > af36d3724aec6fef7e2cf1a11b90e0a02ec31b67 node-v0.8.0.tar.gz > 3e11dc38ab607a7112226b8e2ee53c1510ab9230 node.exe > 4262e8bed432dd386abf866063feb07a42c71135 node.exp > ca14db36491885f15ff3f1ad7f94676b23dd8202 node.lib > 2b3f7a90a95625e8447ae4fb6dcce488bb65d293 node.pdb > d8e79283f9b814d2255891a5f19aaf9edc237f70 npm-1.1.32.tgz > 140d5c808a99dfd25a588c569455ca399913b289 npm-1.1.32.zip > 54c314adec6610bbad1a116444f04bd0ab911792 x64/node-v0.8.0-x64.msi > bf083bb5bf142abb431e28545002b3a4ddff8e78 x64/node.exe > 549b30c76e742efaf9b762aa8fc0b1fd27c7e496 x64/node.exp > 7b5b5d8d7ea7f539c758b1614126bc935a95a90d x64/node.lib > 49624d27c874dfa9acba25506b131ac659b42cf7 x64/node.pdb >
