Even if you are not using Node.js as a web server, you're already using it to install your dependencies through npm and execute your build and testing tasks through Node.js-based packages such as WebPack, Gulp, or Grunt. Node.js is lightweight cross-platform execution environment that makes most modern development tooling work seamlessly. Due to its nature, Node sits at the very bottom of your tech stack outside of your host operating system. It is important to keep your version of Node up-to-date to get benefits of security, speed, and feature updates.
Node.js is maintained in two branches: Long Term Support (LTS) version and Current. Odd numbered releases are one off, risky releases, that are not planned for an LTS phases. Even numbered releases are first released as Current, then phases in to LTS.
For maximum stability and to avoid unforeseen issues, I highly...
