Exploring native file watching in Node.js v22
Blog post from LogRocket
Node.js has introduced a native file watching feature that simplifies development workflows by automatically detecting and responding to file changes, reducing the need for third-party tools like Nodemon. This built-in capability offers advantages such as direct integration, minimal setup, and optimized performance, although it currently lacks some advanced features that Nodemon provides, such as extensive configuration options and support for custom executables. The choice between using native file watching and Nodemon depends on the specific needs of a project, with the former being ideal for those seeking a straightforward, integrated solution and the latter suitable for developers requiring more advanced functionalities. Additionally, Node.js v22 includes other updates like a default-enabled WebSocket client, support for synchronous ES module imports, an experimental feature for running package.json scripts directly, and new glob methods for file path pattern matching, further enhancing the Node.js ecosystem.