Will JavaScript containers overtake Linux containers?

Builders of the Deno JavaScript and TypeScript runtime are exploring the opportunity of JavaScript containers—and the JavaScript sandbox itself—as a higher-level different to Linux containers.

In a weblog submit this week, Ryan Dahl, who spearheaded growth of each the Deno and Node.js JavaScript runtimes, cited JavaScript because the “common scripting language.”

JavaScript’s universality is prompting the emergence of a brand new container-like abstraction, he mentioned. Linux containers usually are not going manner, however pondering by way of JavaScript containers may simplify many net companies. Dahl additionally famous that Docker popularized the usage of Linux containers, with working system-level virtualization for distributing server software program. Every container picture is a dependency-free, ready-to-run software program bundle. However browser JavaScript presents an analogous airtight surroundings at the next stage of abstraction, he mentioned. 

Dahl mentioned he expects JavaScript container expertise to unfold over the following couple of years. Deno is exploring the concept, notably in its Deno Deploy product, and at the moment hiring engineers to pursue it.

Scripting languages may help resolve many server issues and permit enterprise logic to be written cheaper and sooner, mentioned Dahl. Not solely is JavaScript probably the most future-proof of scripting languages, however the JavaScript sandbox is rising as a higher-level container for server software program. In contrast to Linux containers, the JavaScript sandbox may invoke the WebAssembly binary instruction format.