Installing Node.js (Step 1)

Node.js is one of the most popular and widely used runtime environments for building scalable network applications. Whether you are building a web server, real-time chat application, or API, Node.js offers an excellent platform for handling asynchronous requests and concurrent operations.

Before you can begin using Node.js to write your own applications, you first need to install it on your system. In this guide, we will walk through the process of installing Node.js on various operating systems, troubleshooting common issues, and verifying that the installation has been successful. The guide is designed for both beginners and experienced developers who are setting up Node.js for the first time.

What is Node.js?
Why Install Node.js?
Prerequisites
Installing Node.js on Windows
Installing Node.js on macOS
Installing Node.js on Linux
Verifying the Installation
Troubleshooting
Conclusion

1. What is Node.js?

Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment for executing JavaScript code on the server side. It was created by Ryan Dahl in 2009, and its primary goal is to provide a platform capable of building high-performance applications that are non-blocking, event-driven, and scalable.

Node.js uses Google’s V8 JavaScript engine, which compiles JavaScript code into machine code for fast execution. What sets Node.js apart is its ability to handle many connections concurrently in a single thread using non-blocking I/O calls. This makes it particularly suitable for building scalable and high-performance real-time applications such as chat apps, streaming services, and API backends.

However, before you can start leveraging the power of Node.js, you need to first install it on your computer. The installation process is straightforward, and it depends on the operating system you’re using.

2. Why Install Node.js?

There are several reasons why installing Node.js is a good idea for developers:

Server-Side JavaScript: Node.js allows you to write JavaScript on both the client and server side, enabling you to unify your development stack.
Non-Blocking I/O: With Node.js, asynchronous operations such as file I/O, database queries, and network requests do not block the execution thread, leading to more efficient and scalable applications.
Package Management with npm: Node.js comes with a package manager called npm (Node Package Manager), which gives you access to thousands of open-source libraries that you can integrate into your projects.
Real-Time Applications: Node.js is ideal for real-time applications like chat servers, gaming backends, and collaborative tools due to its event-driven architecture.
Single Programming Language: By using JavaScript across both the client and server, you can avoid context switching between different languages, simplifying development.

Now that you understand what Node.js is and why it is so popular, let’s begin the process of installation.

3. Prerequisites

Before you proceed with the installation of Node.js, make sure you meet the following prerequisites:

Operating System: You should be running a supported operating system. Node.js supports all major operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Admin/Root Access: On some systems, you may need administrative privileges to install software. Ensure you have access to the administrator/root account for installing Node.js.
Internet Connection: An active internet connection is required to download the Node.js installer.

Once you have confirmed that your system meets these prerequisites, you are ready to begin the installation.

4. Installing Node.js on Windows

Installing Node.js on a Windows machine is straightforward. Follow these steps:

4.1. Download the Installer

Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Node.js website.
On the homepage, you will see two download options:
- LTS (Long Term Support): This version is stable and recommended for most users. It receives regular updates and security patches.
- Current: This version contains the latest features but may not be as stable as the LTS version.
For most users, it is recommended to choose the LTS version.
Click on the appropriate version for your system, i.e., Windows Installer (.msi) for 32-bit or 64-bit systems. Your download will begin automatically.

4.2. Run the Installer

Once the installer is downloaded:

Navigate to the directory where the file was saved and double-click on the .msi installer file to launch the installation wizard.
The installer will guide you through several steps. Simply click Next and accept the default settings. You may also choose to customize the installation directory if needed.
Ensure that the option to add Node.js to your PATH is checked. This allows you to run Node.js commands from the terminal.
Click Install to start the installation process. Once completed, click Finish to exit the installer.

4.3. Verify the Installation

To ensure that Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) were installed correctly, you should verify the installation in the command prompt.

Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Type the following command to check the version of Node.js: node -v
You should see the version number of Node.js displayed in the terminal (e.g., v16.13.0).
Similarly, check the version of npm by typing: npm -v

If both commands return version numbers, your installation was successful.

5. Installing Node.js on macOS

For macOS users, the installation process for Node.js is just as simple. You can install Node.js using the official installer or via a package manager like Homebrew.

5.1. Using the Official Node.js Installer

Go to the Node.js website and download the macOS Installer.
Once the installer is downloaded, open it and follow the on-screen instructions.
The installation wizard will guide you through the installation process, including choosing the installation path and ensuring Node.js is added to the system’s PATH variable.
After installation is complete, open the Terminal and verify the installation using the commands: node -v npm -v

5.2. Using Homebrew (Package Manager)

Alternatively, if you use Homebrew (a package manager for macOS), you can install Node.js via the terminal:

Open the Terminal.
Update Homebrew by typing: brew update
Install Node.js with the following command: brew install node
Once the installation is complete, verify the installation using the same commands as mentioned earlier: node -v npm -v

6. Installing Node.js on Linux

Linux distributions typically have their own package managers (e.g., APT for Ubuntu, YUM for CentOS, etc.). In this section, we will demonstrate how to install Node.js on Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions.

6.1. Install Node.js on Ubuntu

Open the Terminal.
Update your system’s package index by running: sudo apt update
Install Node.js and npm with the following command: sudo apt install nodejs npm
After the installation is complete, verify the installation using: node -v npm -v

6.2. Installing Node.js via Nodesource (For Latest Version)

If you want to install the latest version of Node.js (or the LTS version) from the official NodeSource repository, follow these steps:

Download the installation script for Node.js from NodeSource: curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_16.x | sudo -E bash - This will add the NodeSource repository to your package manager.
Install Node.js: sudo apt install nodejs
Verify the installation: node -v npm -v

7. Verifying the Installation

Once Node.js and npm are installed, it’s time to verify that everything is working correctly. Here’s how you can confirm the installation:

Check Node.js Version:
Open the terminal or command prompt and type: node -v You should see the version of Node.js printed, indicating that Node.js is installed correctly.
Check npm Version:
npm, the package manager for Node.js, is automatically installed with Node.js. To verify that npm is installed, type: npm -v
Run a Sample Node.js Application:
To further test that everything is working correctly, you can write a simple “Hello World” program in Node.js:
1. Create a file called app.js.
2. Add the following code to app.js: console.log('