Building APIs with Deno and Oak | Some Antics

Anthony Campolo demonstrates building and deploying a web server using Deno and Oak framework, highlighting its advantages over Node.js for modern server-side JavaScript development.

Episode Summary

In this episode of Some Antics, Anthony Campolo guides Ben Myers through creating a web server using Deno and the Oak framework. They explore Deno’s key features, including its security-first approach, ESM support, and TypeScript integration. The duo demonstrates how to set up a basic server, implement routing, and even incorporate JSX for server-side rendering. They also showcase the streamlined deployment process using Deno Deploy, comparing it to other serverless platforms. Throughout the stream, Anthony highlights Deno’s advantages over Node.js, such as its modern standards compliance and improved security model. The episode provides viewers with a comprehensive introduction to Deno’s ecosystem and its potential to shape the future of server-side JavaScript development.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Deno and Oak

Anthony Campolo introduces Deno as a modern alternative to Node.js for server-side JavaScript development. He explains that Deno is built on web standards and offers improved security features. The discussion covers Deno’s relationship to Node.js, highlighting its use of ES modules and TypeScript support. Anthony emphasizes the importance of developers being aware of emerging technologies and how Deno fits into the evolving landscape of web development tools. The conversation sets the stage for the hands-on demonstration to follow, providing context for why developers might be interested in exploring Deno as an alternative to Node.js.

06:41 - Setting Up a Basic Deno Server

The stream transitions into a practical demonstration of setting up a basic Deno server. Anthony guides Ben through the process of creating a simple “Hello World” server using Deno’s built-in HTTP module. They discuss Deno’s unique approach to importing modules via URLs, highlighting how this differs from Node.js’s package.json system. The duo explores Deno’s security features, explaining the need for explicit permissions when running scripts. They successfully create and run a basic server, demonstrating Deno’s simplicity and out-of-the-box functionality. This segment provides viewers with a clear, step-by-step introduction to getting started with Deno development.

19:20 - Introducing Oak Framework and Routing

Anthony introduces the Oak framework, a Deno-based alternative to Express.js. They refactor the basic Deno server to use Oak, demonstrating how to set up routes and handle different HTTP methods. The discussion covers the similarities between Oak and Express, making it easier for developers familiar with Node.js ecosystems to transition to Deno. They implement basic routing, showing how to handle different paths and return HTML responses. This section highlights how Oak simplifies common server-side tasks in Deno, providing a more structured approach to building web applications.

30:59 - Deploying with Deno Deploy

The stream shifts focus to deploying the Deno application using Deno Deploy. Anthony walks Ben through the process of setting up a Deno Deploy account and connecting it to a GitHub repository. They discuss the benefits of Deno Deploy, including its tight integration with the Deno ecosystem and its serverless architecture. The duo successfully deploys the application, demonstrating the streamlined process from development to production. This segment provides valuable insights into the deployment options available for Deno applications and how they compare to other serverless platforms.

47:00 - Exploring JSX and Server-Side Rendering

In the final segment, Anthony and Ben explore more advanced features of Deno, including server-side rendering with JSX. They modify their Oak server to incorporate JSX, demonstrating how Deno can be used for full-stack JavaScript development. The discussion touches on the similarities and differences between this approach and other server-side rendering frameworks. While they encounter some challenges due to the cutting-edge nature of these features, the segment highlights the potential of Deno for building modern, full-stack applications. The chapter concludes with reflections on Deno’s future and its potential impact on the JavaScript ecosystem.