What is Deno, and how is it different from Node.js?

Deno and Node.js are two JavaScript runtimes that offer different approaches to security, performance, and module management. Deno, introduced by Ryan Dahl in 2018, was designed to address several shortcomings of Node.js, particularly in security, by implementing a secure-by-default model that restricts file and network access unless explicitly permitted. Unlike Node.js, which relies heavily on npm for package management, Deno fetches modules directly from URLs, promoting a decentralized system. Deno also supports TypeScript natively, simplifying development processes. While Node.js remains a stable and mature choice with extensive ecosystem support, especially for large-scale applications, Deno's focus on security, simplicity, and performance makes it attractive for tasks like static servers and microservices. Despite its innovations, Deno is not intended to replace Node.js but rather to serve as an alternative, particularly for developers prioritizing security and ease of use in utility scripts or smaller-scale applications.