A full version history of the debug package with size, number of distributed files and dependency evolution.
The debug npm package has undergone numerous iterations since its initial release, evolving from a simple utility to a robust debugging tool for both Node.js and browser environments. Early versions, starting from 0.0.1 in 2011 through the 0.8.x series, were primarily authored by TJ Holowaychuk and focused on core debugging functionality, relying heavily on mocha for testing.
A significant shift occurred with version 1.0.0 in 2014, which introduced the ms dependency for time formatting and browserify as a dev dependency and with version 1.0.5 a dependency of ms version 2.0.0. The 2.x series saw the introduction of the MIT license and a more structured development process, incorporating tools like browserify for front-end compatibility and continuously updating the ms dependency.
The 3.x versions further refined the package, retaining the ms dependency and introducing more sophisticated testing and linting tools. Finally, the 4.x series marked a transition in authorship to Josh Junon and shifted the repository to debug-js/debug, signifying a community-driven evolution. These later versions focus on lightweight performance and compatibility, continually updating development dependencies while maintaining core functionality and stability. This sustained development showcases the package's adaptability and enduring relevance in the JavaScript ecosystem.