Looking for feedback on changing the default URL to install the latest Node.js version

[icflorescu]

I'm not sure why, but semver.io is constantly lagging behind on correctly reporting the latest Node.js version.

As of June 21st 2016, semver.io/node/stable still says 5.1.11, while in reality we're at 6.2.2, which I'd say is stable enough.

Therefore, I'm considering to switch the default semver URL to semver.io/node/resolve/6, which correctly reports 6.2.2, but I'll wait a couple of days for user feedback before proceeding.

Please note that you'll still be able to use 5.1.11, or generally lock your application to a specific version by expressly setting the NODE_VERSION_URL to something like https://semver.io/node/resolve/5.1.11.

[apihlaja]

I'd say the latest stable is still v4.. But thats probably is not the answer you want to hear.

The reason why stable is lagging behind can be read here: heroku/semver.io#52 (comment)

semver.io's definition of stable is not always the absolute latest version of node: it's a reflection of what Heroku's team considers stable based on experience with customer apps running on the platform.

If you want to use the latest release, consider using https://semver.io/node/unstable

So, I think unstable is what you want at the moment.

[icflorescu]

So, basically the answer provided by semver.io reflects Heroku's opinion, "based on experience with customer apps running on the platform" - whatever that means (?!). I'm runnings apps on Heroku for a couple of customers, one is still running on v4, the other is on v6. They're both "stable" in my opinion.

v4 is the "official LTS" version, v6 is the latest (whether it's stable or unstable, that's open to debate), while v5 is still the "latest stable" according to Heroku.

Hmmm. There's no right or wrong answer, I know, but in the end, which one should we default to for this cartridge?... Should we switch to unstable? Personally, I'm leaning towards it, since the cartridge name itself implies you'll be getting the latest (while you'll still be able to expressly lock to a specific version, of course).

I'll still be waiting for user feedback for a few more days before switching.

[timaschew]

+1 for using latest = version 6
It also become the new LTS in some months (October), see https://github.com/nodejs/LTS

[icflorescu]

Done in the last commit. By default, you'll now be getting: