Upgrade node version to 14

[lnpotter]

There are several benefits to updating from Node.js version 10 to version 14.

• Firstly, Node.js 14 includes significant improvements in performance and memory usage over Node.js 10. This means that applications running on Node.js 14 can handle more requests and users with less memory and CPU usage.

• Secondly, Node.js 14 includes many new features and updates to the standard library, including improvements to the V8 engine, support for ECMAScript modules, and improvements to the core APIs. These updates make it easier and more efficient to develop applications with Node.js, and provide better support for modern JavaScript syntax and features.

• Thirdly, Node.js 14 includes a number of security (CVE-2020-11080, CVE-2019-9511, CVE-2019-9512, CVE-2019-9513, CVE-2020-8172, CVE-2021-23337) updates and bug fixes that have been implemented since version 10 was released.

• Finally, to security fixes, Node.js 14 also introduced improvements to memory management, including better handling of memory leaks and a new garbage collector that can more effectively reclaim memory from idle objects.

_{This is just a suggested version upgrade. You may want to consider the current LTS as well.}

[Cynosphere]

LTS is the smarter and safer option from my own experience (which is currently Node.js 18 as of writing). Node.js 19 is a whole other set of issues that will have to be dealt with later though.

[lnpotter]

Yes, indeed. I believe version 18 is more appropriate as well, because it is the current LTS and has many more benefits included in it.

[TTtie]

Bumping the minimal Node version is definitely planned for v0.2.0.

Which version to bump to should be subject to further discussion – it for sure won't be v14, as that's going to become EOL at the end of April.

As I see it, v16 should be the safest at the time of writing, although it is only supported until September this year.

[lnpotter]

I keep on "banging on the button" that version 18 should be the one being considered. Since it is the LTS, and has a longer support than the other previous versions, it already helps new people to get familiar with the new functioning of classes (encapsulation) and reduces unnecessary work in the future if private methods are used for the library to handle internal processes.

edit: Not only these, but other methods have also undergone changes, breaking changes and improvements, so I believe that version 18 should be considered.

[lnpotter]

If Abal's behavior is followed, which was basically to keep the library at version 10 because there was no need to update (even though there was a LOT) then it would be more interesting to keep at version 14. However, if one of the benefits is to be able and require the need for Node in a newer version, then version 18 might be better.