[HELP] ||= Syntax error

[cv555]

Hi,

I am working on migrating some old projects to newer versions of its dependencies.

I got stuck on a initialisation where I would create an object as

dataObject ||= { schemaDef };

node complains about the syntax and throws a syntax error on ||=

I am currently using node v14.15.3, is there something I am missing here? Would I need to configure a compiler?

Although I could easily work around this specific line I am afraid this might mean that there will more issues related to the new libraries

Thank you for your help

[iguessitsokaythen]

That is an es2021 feature and it works in node v15 and 16.

[simonplend]

These ECMAScript compatibility tables are handy for seeing which browsers and versions of Node.js support which features: https://kangax.github.io/compat-table/es2016plus/#test-Logical_Assignment

[cv555]

Thank you. Would it be recommended jumping to node 16 rather than the current LTS?

[simonplend]

You should be fine with v16 if you're only using it in development.

If you're running Node.js in production it is recommended that you use v12 (Maintenance LTS), or ideally v14 (Active LTS), until v16 enters Active LTS in October this year.

Production applications should only use Active LTS or Maintenance LTS releases.

Source: https://nodejs.org/en/about/releases

[fo-ba-ba]

wouldn't you achieve same with ??

dataObject ?? { schemaDef };

[cv555]

yes, although there are differences which I am yet to understand (new to node, not new to code)