The developers behind Deno, a TypeScript and JavaScript runtime often seen as a competitor to Node.js, have officially joined the organization responsible for overseeing the evolution of the JavaScript standard. In an announcement made on December 13 via the Deno company’s blog, engineer Luca Casonato revealed that Deno is now a member of ECMA International, the body that governs ECMA-262—the ECMAScript standard that JavaScript is built upon.
As part of its involvement, Deno will actively contribute to the development of JavaScript through ECMA’s Technical Committee 39 (TC39). This group focuses on the future versions of the ECMAScript specification. Deno’s engagement in this process means it will collaborate with other stakeholders in the JavaScript ecosystem to help shape the direction of the language in the years to come.
Deno’s primary goal within TC39 is to advocate for features that will improve JavaScript, particularly for server-side use cases. Some of the key areas the company plans to focus on include enhancing support for non-JavaScript assets in the ES module graph, refining resource management capabilities, and expanding the standard library’s support for asynchronous iteration. By pushing for these features, Deno aims to make JavaScript more efficient and versatile, especially for backend developers.
Additionally, Deno is keen on improving the integration between TypeScript and JavaScript. TypeScript has become an essential tool for developers due to its static typing features, and Deno’s participation in the standards process may help bridge any gaps between the two languages. Casonato, who will represent Deno in TC39, is also open to feedback and suggestions from the broader developer community on how to improve JavaScript, encouraging input via email or social media.