AWS Lambda Node Version: Understanding the Update Process and Deprecation Schedule

As developers, it's essential to stay updated with the latest news and changes in our technology stack. One recent update that caught our attention is the deprecation of Node.js 12 runtime for AWS Lambda. In this article, we'll delve into the reasons behind this decision, the process of updating Lambda function runtime versions, and what you can expect from the deprecation schedule.

The OpenJS Foundation has brought forward the End-of-Life date for Node.js 16 by seven months due to the end of support for OpenSSL 1.1.1 on September 11th, 2023. As a result, Node.js 16 will also become end-of-life on this date, which will undoubtedly affect the AWS Lambda support schedule.

AWS has advised developers to update Node.js 12 Lambda functions to Node.js 16 as part of their Node.js 12 support notifications. However, production applications should only use Active LTS or Maintenance LTS releases of Node.js, such as Node.js 14, which is already in maintenance long-term-support until April 30th, 2023.

AWS added support for Node.js 16 in May 2022, and this is now the highest supported version of Node.js on AWS Lambda. The deprecation schedule for Node.js 12 will occur in two stages:

* Starting December 14, 2022, you will no longer be able to update existing functions using the Node.js 12 runtime.

* Starting November 14, 2022, Lambda will no longer apply security patches and other updates to the Node.js 12 runtime used by Lambda functions. Functions using Node.js 12 will no longer be eligible for technical support.

At AWS Lambda, we're committed to providing a secure and up-to-date environment for our developers. Like all open-source software, Node.js has a release cycle with new versions being released and older versions deprecated periodically to keep the library current and secure.

We build, deploy, and maintain Node.js applications that run on Lambda functions within Amazon Web Services. As such, we're coding with Node.js and interacting with Lambda functions on a daily basis. Node.js is an open-source JavaScript runtime that runs JavaScript code outside of a browser as a server-side programming language.

In conclusion, the deprecation of Node.js 12 for AWS Lambda is a necessary step to ensure the security and stability of our ecosystem. As developers, it's essential to stay informed about updates and changes in our technology stack to ensure we can continue to build and deploy high-quality applications. By understanding the update process and deprecation schedule, you can plan ahead and make necessary adjustments to your applications to avoid any potential disruptions.

Aws lambda node version