What’s Behind Node.js LTS Codenames? The Chemistry of Argon, Boron, and More
This article explains how the latest Node.js LTS release introduces the process.release.lts property, details the alphabetical chemical element codenames for versions like Argon and Boron, and shares interesting facts about the elements Actinium, Argon, and the discarded Astatine codename.
Node.js’s latest LTS release adds the process.release.lts property, and the codenames for the v4.x and v6.x LTS lines are “Argon” and “Boron” respectively.
The difference between LTS and standard releases includes the presence of process.release.lt .
LTS codenames follow alphabetical order.
Each LTS codename is an English name of a chemical element, reflecting Node’s small but essential nature.
The first LTS line offered two voting options: Actinium and Argon.
Actinium
Actinium is a radioactive metal that glows blue in darkness. The name derives from Greek “aktis” meaning “ray.” It has four isotopes, matching the Node.js v4.x release.
Argon
Argon is the third most abundant noble gas in the atmosphere, making up about 1 % of air. It dissolves in water like oxygen and is colorless and odorless in both liquid and gaseous forms.
Node.js v4.x also considered “Astatine” as a backup codename, but it was dropped due to pronunciation difficulties and its extremely low global production.
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