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Ask HN: Is Bun trying to do too much?

by jo_beef on 9/8/24, 1:56 PM with 1 comments

I've been tracking Bun since launch, and I'm conflicted about its trajectory.

The speed is undeniably impressive - Bun smokes Node.js in benchmarks. The all-in-one approach (runtime, package manager, bundler) is appealing, and Node.js complete compatibility sounds great.

Fast forward to now, and I'm starting to get "Not Invented Here" syndrome vibes. Instead of focusing on being a super-fast, compatible alternative to Node.js, Bun seems hellbent on reinventing every wheel in the JS ecosystem. It's like they're trying to build an entire platform from scratch.

It reminds me a bit of Cloudflare's approach - they've had success with bringing a lot of services in-house. I wonder if Bun is aiming for something similar, trying to create an integrated ecosystem that could potentially be more cost-effective. It's an interesting strategy, but Cloudflare has significant resources at their disposal. I'm curious how Bun plans to manage this ambitious scope, especially as a newer project in the space.

I wish they'd prioritize full Node compatibility and put other features on the back burner. The JS world could use a speed boost, but at this rate, I fear Bun might end up as just another niche tool instead of the Node.js successor it could be.

Thoughts? Am I being too harsh here, or do you see the same issues? I'm curious to hear other perspectives on this.

  • by cranberryturkey on 9/8/24, 2:00 PM

    They need more help imo. We support bun on primatejs but there are a few open issues blocking us.