Home Node.js And IO.js May Be Approaching Reconciliation

Node.js And IO.js May Be Approaching Reconciliation

After three months of internecine conflict, the popular open-source JavaScript framework Node.js may be nearing a reconciliation with dissidents who created a rival version.

Mikeal Rogers, a former Node core contributor and current community lead of that rival, IO.js, posted a proposal for healing the breach late Thursday in the IO GitHub repository.

“A lot of questions have been coming our way about what a merger of the node.js and io.js projects might look like,” Rogers wrote. “People in both projects want to know their work won’t be thrown away and that we can preserve the positive aspects of each project.”

There’s also a copy of the proposal in Node’s GitHub repository, so there’s no doubt Joyent is aware of this new development. The debate is lively; the proposal has attracted nearly 100 comments from developers in the community.

See also: Who’s Going To Run Node.js, And Why That Matters

Rogers wrote that the post is a draft and is “will be continually updated and edited based on input from the community.” Community concerns center around the divergent philosophies of Node, which favors stability for corporate clients, and IO, which is driven by developers who want to push the envelope with new technologies.

Another major concern is that Node’s leadership is currently in flux. Former corporate steward Joyent is handing off control to a new foundation, but it’s not yet clear how this organization will run. IO advocates are rooting for an inclusive and democratic model that will allow prolific contributors a big say in Node’s future direction; they fear, however, that the foundation will instead favor the interests of Node’s big corporate users.

See also: Why The Node.js Summit Didn’t Solve Node’s Underlying Problems

Tensions ran high during February’s Node Summit, where attendees referred to the Node/IO split as “the elephant in the room.” Node, now four years old, is now established enough that it no longer needs to convince people to use it. But the public infighting could also hold it back if it casts doubt on its reliability and continued development.

Community leaders on both sides of the schism have made it clear that a reconciliation is a top priority. As Joyent CEO Scott Hammond said, everyone involved wants the same thing—a community-driven project.

This draft proposal may be the first step to crossing the divide. 

Photo by Matthew Rutledge


About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.