Try out Node.js 18.x (now released, becomes LTS on 2022-10-25)

[holta]

If this appears to work just as well as Node.js 16.x across the board, this should be merged in coming months if not earlier:

• https://nodejs.org/en/blog/announcements/v18-release-announce/
• https://nodejs.org/en/blog/release/v18.0.0/ (notable changes)
• https://nodejs.org/en/about/releases/ (release calendar)

In any case Node.js 16.x will no longer be "Active LTS" on 2022-10-18, so we should transition well before then.

[holta]

This PR is being tested on an Ubuntu Server 21.10 VM:

10.8.0.34 = 196-u2110-srv-LARGE-PR3186

[holta]

Oops, the install script (https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_18.x) has not yet been posted, and will likely appear by weekend.

I'll try to test again after that happens, in the coming week.

[tim-moody]

my experience is that many apps don't work on the latest or even a recent nodejs

[holta]

FWIW in recent years we've been very lucky.

(Node.js 12.x, 14.x and 16.x just worked across the board.)

[holta]

Quick testing shows that Node.js 18.x (nodesource installer) appears to work fine across the board, i.e. with IIAB Apps:

• Internet Archive
• JupyterHub
• Node-RED
• pbx (Asterisk 19 + FreePBX 16)
• Sugarizer

If anybody finds any isolated regressions, please shout and let us know, Thanks!