mise vs. asdf for JavaScript project environment management

Mise and asdf are tools designed to help developers manage multiple programming language versions and environments, facilitating polyglot development by simplifying the process of switching between different tool versions. Asdf uses a technique called "shimming" to manage tool versions, creating temporary paths to specific versions, which can introduce performance overhead. In contrast, mise, written in Rust, removes the reliance on shims by directly modifying the PATH environment variable, resulting in faster execution times. Mise also simplifies the process by eliminating the need for plugins, allowing the user to address specific tool versions directly, whereas asdf requires a two-step process involving plugins. Both tools support managing tools at global, shell, and local levels, with asdf using a .tool-versions file and mise using a mise.toml file to track configurations. While asdf offers broader tool compatibility, mise's efficient PATH management provides a quicker experience, making both tools valuable depending on whether speed or compatibility is the priority.