Deno vs Rome : What are the differences?

Introduction

Deno and Rome are two popular JavaScript tools used for different purposes. While Deno is a runtime environment for executing JavaScript and TypeScript code, Rome is a linter, formatter, and compiler tool for JavaScript and TypeScript.

1. Runtime Environment vs Tool Suite: Deno is a JavaScript and TypeScript runtime environment that allows developers to execute code on the server-side or the command line. On the other hand, Rome is not a runtime environment but a comprehensive tool suite that provides features like linting, formatting, and compiling code.

2. Creator and Community: Deno was created by Ryan Dahl, the creator of Node.js, and it has gained significant attention and support from the JavaScript community. Rome, on the other hand, is a relatively newer tool created by Sebastian McKenzie, known for his contributions to popular JavaScript tools like Babel and Yarn.

3. Built-in Modules vs Centralized Tool: Deno comes with a set of built-in modules that provide essential functionalities like file system access, HTTP server, and testing. These built-in modules can be imported directly in Deno projects. Rome, on the other hand, does not provide built-in modules but rather acts as a centralized tool that helps developers manage and utilize other existing tools and libraries.

4. Compatibility and Ecosystem: Deno aims to have compatibility with the existing Node.js ecosystem. It can run most existing Node.js packages with little to no modifications. Rome, on the other hand, has a more opinionated approach and provides its own set of tools and utilities. While Rome can be used alongside other tools, it may require additional configuration and modifications to integrate with existing workflows.

5. Bundle and Dependency Management: Deno has built-in support for bundling and dependency management. It allows developers to bundle their code and dependencies into a single JavaScript file, making it easier to distribute and deploy applications. Rome, on the other hand, focuses more on code formatting, linting, and compilation, and does not provide direct support for bundle management. Developers using Rome may need to use additional tools or configure external bundlers for this purpose.

6. Security Model: Deno has a security model based on permissions, where each permission needs to be explicitly granted to the code before it can access the corresponding resources or functionalities. This approach enhances security by reducing the attack surface. Rome, on the other hand, does not have a built-in security model like Deno. It relies on the security features provided by the underlying runtime or environment.

In Summary, Deno is a JavaScript and TypeScript runtime environment that comes with built-in modules and focuses on compatibility with the existing Node.js ecosystem, while Rome is a tool suite that provides code formatting, linting, and compilation features but does not have built-in modules or direct support for bundling.