Dev Weekly Update January 22 2025 (#3971)

blog/news-and-updates/2025-01-22-update.mdx

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+---
+title: Developer weekly update January 22, 2025
+description: This week, we have a new release of Motoko, a forum discussion regarding some changes to dfx, and an NNS proposal that adds 17 new API boundary nodes to the network.
+tags: [Devs]
+image: /img/blog/dev-update-blog-jan-22.jpg
+---
+
+# Developer weekly update January 22, 2025
+
+![January 22, 2025](../../static/img/blog/dev-update-blog-jan-22.jpg)
+
+Hello developers, and welcome to this week's developer weekly update! This week, we have a new release of Motoko, a forum discussion regarding some changes to `dfx`, and an NNS proposal that adds 17 new API boundary nodes to the network. Let's get started!
+
+## Motoko v0.13.6
+
+A new version of Motoko has been released! This release includes an important breaking change regarding orthogonal persistence:
+
+- The Wasm persistence modes used internally for canister upgrades now use lowercase names `keep` and `replace` rather than `Keep` and `Replace`. If you are using actor classes with orthogonal persistence, you will need to recompile your code and upgrade it to use the latest `moc` and `dfx`.
+
+This release also includes support for low Wasm memory hooks `system func lowmemory() : async* () { ... } ` and a few bug fixes:
+
+- Mitigations and checks regarding timers.
+
+- Valid upgrades that delete a stable variable previously failed the `--enhanced-orthogonal-persistence` stable compatibility check.
+
+[Read the full release notes](https://github.com/dfinity/motoko/releases/tag/0.13.6).
+
+## Proposed `dfx` changes
+
+A new change has been proposed on the forum for `dfx`: Remove the local replica with PocketIC. PocketIC is a canister testing tool that provides extensive, customizable testing capabilities in the local environment. `dfx` currently uses PocketIC in parallel with the local replica for CI testing without any substantial differences.
+
+Replacing the replica with PocketIC will make `dfx` smaller to download, plus speed up local deployment times.
+
+The SDK team has proposed a plan to remove the replica from `dfx` and replace it with PocketIC. You can read more about this plan on the [developer forum](https://forum.dfinity.org/t/dfx-replacing-the-local-replica-with-pocketic/40167) and contribute to the discussion.
+
+## New API boundary nodes
+
+NNS proposal [134902](https://dashboard.internetcomputer.org/proposal/134902) has been executed, adding 17 new API boundary nodes to the ICP network. Each node was already part of the network but was previously unused before being converted into a boundary node. Nodes were chosen based on geographic location to ensure distribution across different regions.
+
+This is a significant change and an important architecture milestone, as the network previously only had 3 API boundary nodes. With a total of 20 API boundary nodes in various regions across the globe, ICP will now feature a fully NNS-managed edge architecture, enabling clients such as `agent-rs` to connect directly to the network without relying on the traditional boundary node infrastructure.
+
+You can learn more about this network change on [the forum](https://forum.dfinity.org/t/proposal-134902-adding-17-api-boundary-nodes/40199).
+
+That'll wrap up this week. Tune back in next week for more developer updates!
+
+-DFINITY