Node.js 20 is now available!

At Stone Labs, we make it a priority to stay current with the latest advancements and emerging trends in the software industry. As a custom software product development company, our focus lies in delivering complex IT solutions tailored to the needs of our clients. Today, we would like to discuss the recent announcement of Node.js 20, a new release that promises to bring incredible enhancements in the world of JavaScript runtime.

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that has become a popular choice for developing robust web applications and services. The new version, Node.js 20, marks a significant milestone in the platform’s evolution, providing developers with exciting new features and improved performance.

One of the key highlights of Node.js v20 is the inclusion of the latest version of the URL parser, Ada. This parser stands out for its ability to improve the developer experience while working with URLs in their applications. The update also includes various documentation improvements, ensuring that the user base has access to clear and concise information.

Another noteworthy feature of this release is the preview-level support for a range of features and triggers, similar to those in 2nd gen Node.js. Detailed guidance and support for these functionalities can be found throughout the platform’s resources, making it easier for developers to explore and utilize the latest enhancements.

Moreover, Node.js 20, addresses potential vulnerabilities by introducing changes to the way inputs are managed in cryptographic APIs. This update is designed to strengthen the security of applications built on the platform.

The existing user base of Node.js will find the transition from the legacy streams API to the updated version to be seamless. The new version retains the essential functionality while streamlining the development process.

At Stone Labs, we understand the importance of staying on the cutting edge of technology and are excited about the potential that Node.js 20 holds for our clients. We are committed to harnessing the power of this release to create advanced web applications and services that align with the ever-evolving demands of the software industry.

In short, Node.js 20 marks a significant step forward in JavaScript runtime, offering new features, improved performance, and enhanced security for developers. As a software product development company, we excited to explore and implement the latest innovations in technology, creating custom IT solutions that drive success for our clients.

Top 5 web technologies for startups development

As a custom software product development company, Stone Labs is always on the lookout for the latest and most effective web technologies for startups. In this article, we will explore the top five web technologies for web development in 2023.

1. ReactJS

ReactJS is a JavaScript library used for building user interfaces. It is known for its high performance, scalability, and flexibility. One of the main advantages of ReactJS is its component-based architecture, which makes it easy to reuse code. However, it has a steep learning curve and may not be the best option for small projects.

Stone Labs advice: ReactJS is a great choice for startups with complex user interfaces and high traffic. We recommend using it for large-scale projects with a dedicated development team.

Example: We used ReactJS to build a custom e-commerce platform for a client that needed a highly scalable and customizable system called Brodboksen (Brodboksen ) – a delivery service that provides early morning delivery of freshly cooked breakfast in Norway .

2. Node.js

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine. It allows developers to build scalable, high-performance applications using JavaScript on both the client and server-side. One of the main advantages of Node.js is its ability to handle a large number of concurrent connections. However, it may not be the best option for CPU-intensive tasks.

Stone Labs advice: Node.js is a great choice for startups that require real-time communication and data streaming. We recommend using it for applications that require high concurrency and scalability.

Example: We used Node.js to build an algorithm that automatically generates the best timetable of competition depending on the specific input parameterssuch as Start date, Day off, Venues, Teams, etc. The project is called Competition management automation (Competition Management Automation )

3. PHP Laravel

Laravel is a PHP web application framework that provides developers with a clean and elegant syntax. It offers a wide range of features for building web applications, including routing, authentication, and caching. One of the main advantages of Laravel is its ease of use and rapid development. However, it may not be the best option for large-scale projects with complex business logic.

Stone Labs advice: Laravel is a great choice for startups that require rapid development and prototyping. We recommend using it for small to medium-sized projects with a limited budget.

Example: We used Laravel to build a project Driveline (Driveline ), which allows tracking athletes’ performance by the Data-Driven Training System. Different APIs, personal data collection&processing and research-based methodology were implemented within the project! In addition, it has integrated the GDPR and HIPPA to protect data and users and AWS.

4. Angular

Angular is a TypeScript-based web application framework used for building dynamic web applications. It provides developers with a powerful set of tools for building complex and dynamic user interfaces. One of the main advantages of Angular is its ability to handle large-scale applications. However, it may require a significant amount of time and effort to learn and implement.

Stone Labs advice: Angular is a great choice for startups that require complex and dynamic user interfaces. We recommend using it for large-scale projects with a dedicated development team.

Example: We used Angular to build an online-based marketplace that caters to accredited investors who would like to invest in promising agriculture and agri-technology startups – AgFunder (AgFunder ).

5. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is a web application framework written in Ruby. It provides developers with a clean and elegant syntax for building web applications. One of the main advantages of Ruby on Rails is its ability to handle complex business logic. However, it may not be the best option for applications that require high performance and.

Stone Labs advice: Ruby on Rails is a great choice for startups that require complex business logic and rapid development. We recommend using it for medium-sized projects with a limited budget.

‌Example: We used Ruby on Rails to build a custom global eLearning Marketplace where learners can improve their knowledge in different fields over video-conferences with world best business coaches – LeggUp ( LeggUp ).

In conlusion, choosing the right web technology for startups is crucial for success. Each of the technologies listed above has its own advantages and disadvantages. At Stone Labs, we advise startups to consider their specific needs and requirements before choosing a technology. By carefully selecting the right technology, startups can ensure a fast and scalable development cycle, leading to a successful product launch.

Webflow for prototyping

As a custom software product development company, Stone Labs is always on the lookout for the best tools to help you build complicated IT startups on demand. One tool that has captured our attention recently is Webflow, a powerful web design and development platform that makes it easy to create prototypes for web and mobile applications.

What is Webflow?

Webflow is a web design and development platform that allows users to create and publish responsive websites and applications without having to write any code. It offers an intuitive visual interface that makes it easy to design and develop complex web and mobile applications.

Possible applications

Webflow is a versatile tool that can be used for a wide range of applications. It can be used for prototyping new products and features, creating landing pages and marketing websites, as well as building complex web and mobile applications.

How Stone Labs uses Webflow for startup prototypes development

At Stone Labs, we use Webflow for prototyping new product ideas and features. We find that the visual interface makes it easy to quickly create wireframes and mockups that can be shared with clients and stakeholders. Webflow’s ability to quickly create responsive layouts and animated interactions also allows us to create realistic and dynamic prototypes that can be used for user testing and validation.

Advantages and disadvantages

One of the main advantages of Webflow is its intuitive visual interface, which makes it easy to create complex designs without any coding. It also offers a wide range of templates and widgets that can speed up the prototyping process.

However, Webflow’s drag-and-drop interface can also be limiting for more experienced developers who prefer more control over the code. Additionally, Webflow’s pricing plans can be costly for larger teams.

Overall, Webflow is an excellent tool for prototyping web and mobile applications. Its visual interface and responsive design capabilities make it ideal for creating realistic and dynamic prototypes that can be used for user testing and validation.

Nuxt.JS Updated for 3.4

Stone Labs is pleased to share the exciting news from Nuxt team – they’ve just released a new version (3.4), which comes with exciting new features.

One of the new features in Nuxt 3.4 is support for the View Transitions API. This new API allows for native browser transitions between unrelated elements on different pages. Nuxt now ships with an experimental implementation of this API, which will be under active development during the v3.4 release cycle. This feature can be used by Stone Labs to create more seamless transitions between pages in their web applications, providing a better user experience for their clients.

Nuxt 3.4 also comes with enhanced payload handling. Payloads are used to send data from the server to the client during SSR and avoid double data-fetching during the hydration phase. Preliminary testing shows a significant speed-up of 25% faster in total server response time for a very minimal app with a large JSON payload. Stone Labs can leverage this feature to create web applications with faster server response times and better overall performance.

Another new feature in Nuxt 3.4 is object-syntax Nuxt plugins. This allows for better control over plugin order and easier registration of hooks. Stone Labs can use this feature to streamline their plugin registration process and improve the performance of their web applications.

Nuxt 3.4 also includes improvements to Devtools configuration, making it even easier to enable Nuxt DevTools in a project. Setting devtools: true in the nuxt.config file will enable devtools, and Nuxt will prompt to install it locally if it is not already installed. Stone Labs can use this feature to improve their debugging process and make it easier to identify and fix bugs in their web applications.

Layers improvements are another new feature in Nuxt 3.4. Transforming ~/~~/@/@@ aliases within layers means that it is now much easier to use a ‘normal’ Nuxt project as a layer without needing to specially write it as one. This feature can be used by Stone Labs to create more flexible and modular web applications.

In addition to these new features, Nuxt 3.4 also includes “breaking fixes.” These fixes include changes to the x-nuxt-no-ssr header behavior, the removal of the #head alias and the polyfill for @‌vueuse/head behavior, and the removal of the experimental.viteNode option.

In conclusion, Nuxt 3.4 is a significant update that brings several exciting new features and improvements to the framework. Stone Labs can leverage these features to create faster, more flexible, and more robust web applications. Nuxt is a great technology for custom software product development, and its latest version is a testament to the framework’s continued innovation and development.

Laravel 10.9 released!

The Laravel team has recently released version 10.9 with several new features and enhancements, which Stone Labs is excited to explore.

One of the significant changes introduced in Laravel 10.9 is named static methods for middleware. This update allows developers to define route middleware in a more “PHPish” way. Additionally, James Hulse contributed an update to the queue:prune-batches, allowing developers to prune all unfinished and canceled batches with the –infinished=0 and –cancelled=0 flags.

Another significant change in Laravel 10.9 is the ability to configure Ignition IDE links with the artisan serve command. Developers can now pass-through IGNITION_LOCAL_SITES_PATH to the artisan serve command, enabling them to open files in their IDE by clicking on the filename displayed on an Ignition error page.

Laravel 10.9 also adds new HTTP status assertions and allows separate directories for locks on file storage. Additionally, developers can now use the whereMorphedTo method with a null model and use pivot model fromDateTime instead of assuming Carbon in the Illuminate/Database/Eloquent/Relations/Concerns/InteractsWithPivotTable::addTimestampsToAttachment() method.

Other changes in Laravel 10.9 include making the rules method in FormRequest optional, throwing a LogicException when calling FileFactory@image() if mimetype is not supported, improving the job release method to accept a date instance, and using foreignUlid if the model uses HasUlids trait when calling foreignIdFor.

Stone Labs is excited about the new features and enhancements introduced in Laravel 10.9. These updates will help development teams build better and more efficient software products for the end clients.

Laravel is an excellent framework for web application development and provides numerous features and tools to help developers create high-quality, scalable, and secure web applications. With the release of Laravel 10.9, the framework has become even more robust and feature-rich, making it an ideal choice for custom software development.

startup ideas: Keep track of business for oil field business

Stone Labs is exploring various channels, including the marketplace, where very interior ideas for startups often appear. We want to tell you about one of these ideas.

We found that in United States was an idea to build a software to keep track of business for oil field business.

Scope of Possible Software Solution:

The proposed software solution for the small oil field company would have the following features:

  • Integration with Quickbooks for easy bookkeeping and accounting
  • Sales tracking to keep track of revenue and customer purchasing patterns
  • Ticketing system with e-signature capabilities to handle customer requirements and work orders
  • Inventory management to keep track of equipment and materials
  • Reporting system to analyze business performance and identify areas for improvement
  • Mobile app accessibility to allow field workers to access data on-the-go

Advantages:

  • Efficient and accurate bookkeeping and accounting
  • Streamlined customer requirement handling and work order management
  • Detailed reporting capabilities for informed decision making
  • Improved inventory management for cost savings and improved productivity
  • Mobile app accessibility for convenience and accessibility on-the-go

Possible Business Model:
The business model for this software solution could be a subscription-based model where the oil field company pays a monthly or annual fee for access to the software. There could also be value-added services offered such as data analysis and personalized support.

How Stone Labs can help:
Stone Labs can help by developing a customized software solution tailored to the specific needs of the small oil field company. We have experience in developing similar software solutions for other businesses and can provide expert guidance and support throughout the development process. Additionally, Stone Labs can provide ongoing maintenance and support to ensure the software solution continues to meet the evolving needs of the business.