With Joyent's Blessings, and New Members, The Node.js Foundation Takes Shape

A foundation can do a lot for an open source project. Just look at The OpenStack Foundation or The Linux Foundation. This week, Node.js, the very popular server-side JavaScript framework that is used for building and running websites and online applications, got its own foundation. Among other things, that means that Joyent will no longer solely govern Node.js. The foundation should help the project gain more contributions and develop more quickly.

 According to a post:

"One week ago Scott Hammond, CEO of Joyent, invited the io.js TC (Technical Committee) to a private meeting where he expressed his intention to start a node.js Foundation and his desire to bring io.js back to the node.js project."

 As Wired notes:

"The announcement follows a schism in the community late last year, when several core Node developers, frustrated with the slow pace of development under Joyent, decided to “fork” the project, creating a version of the tool outside the company’s control. The new foundation may be the first step in bringing the two versions of Node back under one roof. That could mean better versions of Node and, therefore, better online applications for the rest of the internet."

 Node.js applications are written in JavaScript, and can be run within the Node.js runtime on OS X, Microsoft Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, and elsewhere. Microsoft, IBM, and the Linux Foundation are all on board with The Node.js Foundation. 

Joyent has delivered a post announcing the foundation:

"Node.js has seen massive growth over the past few years. What was once an innovative developer tool is now the framework of choice for millions of individuals and businesses around the world. They rely on Node.js and will continue to for years to come."

"So far, IBM, Microsoft, PayPal, Fidelity and SAP have joined us as founding members, and we'll continue to add others over the coming months. We want the project to represent the diverse interests and perspectives of the community at large and are committed to including organizations of all sizes and individuals. In our efforts to open the Foundation to everyone, we will provide scaled sponsorship levels to make participation possible at any budget."

"We have selected the Linux Foundation to advise us on the best way to structure and run the Foundation to ensure it is effective at growing, developing, and supporting the Node.js community via a neutral foundation. Given their track record with Linux and many other projects, we feel their expertise will be a real asset to the community."