The Rise of Native Node.js Development: Is Babel Still Necessary?

Simplifying Module Management

One of the most significant advantages of native Node.js development is the ability to simplify module management. With ECMAScript modules (ESM) now supported in Node.js 8 and above, you can say goodbye to Babel’s complexity. Simply add the --experimental-modules switch when running your app, and you’re good to go.

node --experimental-modules app.js

This eliminates the need for a build system, making your development process more efficient.

Modern Async Control Flow

Native Node.js development also brings modern async control flow to the forefront. With promises and async/await supported since Node 8, you can write more efficient and maintainable code. No longer do you need to rely on Babel to enable these features.

async function example() {
  try {
    const result = await promisesExample();
    console.log(result);
  } catch (error) {
    console.error(error);
  }
}

Plus, with async stack traces available in Node 12, debugging becomes a breeze.

Syntactic Sugar and Beyond

Babel’s syntactic sugar was once a major draw, but now many of these features are native to Node.js. Enjoy destructuring assignments, object destructuring, default params, and more without the need for Babel.

const { x, y } = obj;
function example({ x, y } = {}) {
  console.log(x, y);
}

This means less code injection, making your application more secure and maintainable.

Liability and Security

Ditching Babel also reduces liability and security risks. With fewer dependencies, you’re less vulnerable to issues like:

• Slower npm install times
• Slower boot times
• False positives on issues

You’ll also gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of your project, as there’s less code being injected into your final output.

When Babel Is Still Necessary

While native Node.js development offers many benefits, there are still cases where Babel is necessary. If you want to:

• Run the latest and greatest ES features
• Deliver code to the web browser

Babel remains your best bet. Additionally, Babel’s code can sometimes be faster than Node-native methods, particularly in edge cases.

In conclusion, native Node.js development is on the rise, and it’s time to rethink our reliance on Babel. By embracing native features, you can simplify your development process, reduce liability, and write more efficient code. So, take the leap and explore the benefits of native Node.js development for yourself.