All I want for Christmas is a server-side JavaScript framework

A grumpy Scrooge of a developer might complain about the wealth of options in JavaScript, calling it “tech decision overwhelm.” But the truth is, the JavaScript ecosystem works. In an ecosystem that encourages innovation, new tools are regularly introduced and naturally find their niche, and excellence is rewarded.

As developers, we get to sit back and mouse-wheel through hundreds of thousands of programmer hours of work. NPM is a vast repository of human creativity. What looks like chaos is a complex phylogeny, a family tree of code where tools evolve to find their role in the larger system.

Of course, when you are under deadline and the caffeine’s worn off, you don’t have time to explore your options. But when things are calm—perhaps during the holiday break season—it is well worth taking a deep dive into the open source gifts under the JavaScript tree.

Top picks for JavaScript readers on InfoWorld

The complete guide to Node.js frameworksLooking for inspiration to supercharge your server side? Get a whirlwind tour of some of the most popular and powerful back-end JavaScript frameworks. We survey the range, from Express and Next to Hono, SvelteKit, and more.

Intro to Nest.js: Server-side JavaScript development on NodeIf you like Angular’s architecture or the structure of Java’s Spring framework, Nest may be the Node framework for you. Decide for yourself, with this hands-on guide to building an API with Nest and TypeScript.

10 JavaScript-based tools and frameworks for AI and machine learningModern JavaScript has a wealth of powerful AI tools. From the wide-ranging capability of TensorFlow.js to hidden gems like Brain.js, here’s a nice rundown of JavaScript tools for building neural nets, implementing RAGs, and tapping LLMs—all with no Python required.

Node.js tutorial: Get started with NodeAfter all the talk about options, it’s important to know the most central piece of the whole puzzle. Node was the original, breakthrough idea that put JavaScript on the server and remains the flagship runtime.

JavaScript news bites

Developers urged to immediately upgrade React, Next.js
Microsoft steers native port of TypeScript to early 2026
A proactive defense against npm supply chain attacks
Angular v21 debuts Signal Forms, stabilizes MCP server

More good reads and JavaScript updates elsewhere

Native type stripping in TypeScript 7.0Microsoft has released the TypeScript 7 roadmap for early 2026, and it includes native type stripping. Following Node’s lead, TypeScript will aim to make the “build step” optional for development—basically, the engine will just delete the type info, making it extremely fast.

Critical security vulnerability in React server componentsThe React team has disclosed a catastrophic, unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in React server components. Developers using Next.js, React Router, Waku, or Redwood with React 19.x are advised to update now. Patches are available for Next.js 16.0.7 and React 19.2.1.

Announcing Angular v21Angular’s renaissance continues with version 21. The biggest shift is that Zone.js is gone by default for new applications, marking the official transition to Signal-first and high-performance.

State of React Survey, 2025 is openHead over to the latest State of React survey to do your civic duty and contribute some data points to the present and future destiny of the most downloaded chunk of JavaScript software on Earth.