Functions: Node.js 12 is the new default runtime

Features Updates
1

AWS just released Node.js 12 for serverless Lambda functions, and we’re making that version the default for all new sites created from today (Dec 4, 2019) forward. :tada: Sites created before today can upgrade by setting a AWS_LAMBDA_JS_RUNTIME environment variable to nodejs12.x.

You can find out more about the benefits of Node.js 12 in our blog announcement.

Also note that since Node.js 8 reaches end of life at the end of this year, AWS will stop deploying new functions on version 8 on January 6, 2020. You can find out more about deprecation in the docs.

(Pro tip: you can test how your functions handle Node.js 12 locally by updating your Node.js version then running your functions using Netlify Dev.)

2 Likes
2

What’s a long term strategy here?
Node v14 will be your next default shortly after AWS release it at the end of 2020?

3

Hey @web2033 yes. The plan is to keep up to date with the latest version available from AWS as the default for users. There are migration paths to take into account, depending on what changes in the node runtime.

This is customizable by user immediately when AWS makes announcements via the AWS_LAMBDA_JS_RUNTIME variable.

1 Like
4

By the way, I posted some tips for migrating your Netlify Functions to Node.js v12:
https://answers.netlify.com/t/common-issue-tips-for-upgrading-your-netlify-functions-from-node-js-v8-10/6132