node: bad option: --experimental-worker

Question

I am trying to experiment with worker_threads in node.js.

const { Worker, isMainThread, parentPort } = require('worker_threads');
if (isMainThread) {
    // This code is executed in the main thread and not in the worker.

    // Create the worker.
    const worker = new Worker(__filename);
    // Listen for messages from the worker and print them.
    worker.on('message', (msg) => { console.log(msg); });
} else {
    // This code is executed in the worker and not in the main thread.

    // Send a message to the main thread.
    parentPort.postMessage('Hello world!');
}

I save the above code in index.js and run node --experimental-worker index.js on terminal. I get the following error:

node: bad option: --experimental-worker.

I have v8.16.0 of node installed in my mac.

Answer 1

The Worker class was added in nodejs v10.5.0.

To use --experimental-worker one will need at least nodejs v10.5.0

With nodejs v12.x it is stable and can be used without --experimental-worker

Downloads: nodejs

Version Manager: nvm

Answer 2

I had same issue, but as suggested by @Estradiaz I upgraded my node version from v8.16.0 to v.12.13.1 by

1. nvm install 12.13.1
2. nvm use 12.13.1 then the issue solved.