Installing Node.js (Step 2)

Introduction

Node.js is one of the most powerful and popular technologies for building scalable, fast, and efficient web applications. It allows developers to run JavaScript on the server side, enabling full-stack JavaScript development. However, before you can start developing with Node.js, the first step is to install it on your computer.

The process of installing Node.js is relatively straightforward. In this guide, we will walk through the process of installing Node.js on various platforms (Windows, macOS, and Linux) and ensure that both Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) are set up correctly. We’ll also look at how to verify the installation and set up your development environment for future Node.js projects.


What is Node.js and npm?

Before we dive into the installation process, let’s briefly understand what Node.js and npm are and why you need them:

  • Node.js: A JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine that allows developers to execute JavaScript code server-side. Node.js is designed to build scalable and fast web applications.
  • npm (Node Package Manager): npm is the default package manager for Node.js. It allows developers to manage dependencies, install libraries, and share code with other developers. npm comes bundled with Node.js, so once you install Node.js, you automatically get npm.

Prerequisites for Installing Node.js

1. System Requirements

Before installing Node.js, make sure your system meets the following basic requirements:

  • Operating System: Node.js supports various operating systems:
    • Windows (Windows 7 or later)
    • macOS (10.10 Yosemite or later)
    • Linux (Various distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and more)
  • Architecture: Node.js supports both x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) architectures. You’ll need to download the appropriate version based on your machine’s architecture.
  • Permissions: Ensure you have administrator/root privileges on your system to install Node.js and npm.

2. Update Your System

Before proceeding with the installation, it is a good idea to make sure that your system is up-to-date. This is especially true for Linux users, where package managers like apt or yum might require the latest package lists. On macOS, you can update via the App Store or through brew if you use Homebrew.

3. Remove Previous Versions (if any)

If you have previously installed Node.js on your system, it’s advisable to remove it before installing a new version. This ensures that no conflicts arise between old and new versions of Node.js. You can do this by removing the existing installation using system-specific commands or uninstallation processes.


Downloading Node.js

The first step in installing Node.js is to download the installer from the official Node.js website.

  1. Go to the Official Node.js Website
    Open your browser and navigate to the official Node.js website:
    https://nodejs.org
  2. Choose the Correct Version
    There are two main versions of Node.js available for download:
    • LTS (Long Term Support): This version is recommended for most users because it is stable and receives long-term support, which includes bug fixes and security patches.
    • Current: This version includes the latest features and updates but may not be as stable as the LTS version. It is recommended for developers who want to explore the latest features.
    For most users, we recommend downloading the LTS version to ensure stability.
  3. Download the Installer
    Once you’ve selected the version (LTS or Current), click the appropriate download button. The website will automatically detect your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and provide the correct installer for your platform.

Installing Node.js on Windows

1. Run the Installer

After downloading the Node.js installer (.msi file), double-click the file to run the installer. The installation process will begin.

2. Setup Wizard

The Node.js Setup Wizard will appear. Click the Next button to proceed.

  • License Agreement: Read and accept the terms of the license agreement to continue.
  • Installation Path: The installer will ask you to choose the installation location. You can accept the default location or choose a custom path. For most users, the default location is fine.
  • Select Components: In this step, you will be asked to select components to install. The default components selected include:
    • Node.js runtime (this installs Node.js itself)
    • npm package manager
    • Add to PATH (this adds Node.js to your system’s PATH environment variable, allowing you to run Node.js commands from the command line)
    Keep all the default options selected and click Next.
  • Install: The installer will now begin installing Node.js and npm. Wait for the process to complete. This should only take a few minutes.

3. Verify the Installation

Once the installation process is complete, click Finish to exit the installer.

To verify that Node.js and npm were successfully installed, open a command prompt (cmd) and type the following commands:

  • Check Node.js version: node -v This will display the version of Node.js that was installed.
  • Check npm version: npm -v This will display the version of npm that was installed.

If both commands return version numbers, then the installation was successful.


Installing Node.js on macOS

1. Download the macOS Installer

Go to the official Node.js website and download the macOS version of the Node.js installer. This will be a .pkg file.

2. Run the Installer

Double-click the .pkg file to begin the installation. Follow the instructions in the Node.js installer.

  • License Agreement: Read and accept the license agreement to continue.
  • Installation Location: The default installation location is typically /usr/local/bin, which is where macOS installs most software. Click Install to proceed.
  • Authentication: You may be prompted to enter your macOS password to allow the installer to proceed.

3. Complete the Installation

Once the installation is complete, you can verify the installation by opening a terminal window and typing the following commands:

  • Check Node.js version: node -v
  • Check npm version: npm -v

Both commands should return version numbers, indicating that Node.js and npm were installed successfully.


Installing Node.js on Linux

1. Using a Package Manager

For Linux distributions like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian, Node.js can be installed directly using the system’s package manager. This method ensures you get the correct version of Node.js for your distribution.

Ubuntu/Debian (using APT)

  1. Update the system’s package index: sudo apt update
  2. Install dependencies: sudo apt install -y curl
  3. Download and install Node.js:
    Run the following command to install the Node.js LTS version using the NodeSource repository: curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash - sudo apt install -y nodejs
  4. Verify the installation:
    Once the installation is complete, you can verify it by checking the versions of both Node.js and npm: node -v npm -v

Fedora/CentOS (using DNF)

  1. Add the NodeSource repository: curl -sL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo bash -
  2. Install Node.js: sudo dnf install -y nodejs
  3. Verify the installation: node -v npm -v

2. Using NVM (Node Version Manager)

Alternatively, you can use NVM (Node Version Manager) to install Node.js. NVM allows you to manage multiple versions of Node.js and switch between them easily.

  1. Install NVM: curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash
  2. Install Node.js:
    After NVM is installed, you can install the latest version of Node.js: nvm install node
  3. Verify the installation: node -v npm -v

Updating Node.js and npm

If you need to update your version of Node.js or npm in the future, you can use the following methods:

  • On Windows/macOS/Linux: You can download and run the latest installer from the official Node

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *