September 2021 Summaries

The Temporal's TypeScript SDK ensures workflow determinism by using V8 isolates via the isolated-vm npm package. Each workflow runs in an isolate that prevents direct access to non-deterministic logic like reading from the file system or generating a random number. This is crucial as Temporal stores each workflow's event history, including its initial state and all received signals and activity results. The SDK replaces commonly used non-deterministic built-ins with deterministic alternatives. It also prevents access to several Node.js APIs that could lead to non-determinism. If a workflow needs to use an npm module that interacts with the outside world, it should be placed in an activity which runs in the normal Node.js environment.

The latest release of Temporal is V1.12.1, with a focus on improving the product. The Cadence support EOL date remains September 29, 2021. Node.js is nearing its final stages before beta, and UI updates are approaching early alpha. Visibility improvements are now available in the latest releases. Temporal will be present at Kubecon with two talks, a booth, and an afterparty. The company has also become CNCF Sponsors.