Node.js Installation and Setup

Node.js, often simply referred to as Node, is a powerful and popular open-source runtime environment that allows you to execute JavaScript on the server-side. It has gained widespread adoption and is widely used for building scalable and efficient web applications. In this article, we will walk you through the installation and setup of Node.js on various platforms.

Why Node.js?

Node.js is built on the V8 JavaScript engine by Google and is designed to be lightweight and efficient. It is known for its non-blocking, event-driven architecture, which makes it well-suited for building real-time applications, APIs, and microservices. Node.js has an extensive ecosystem of packages available through npm (Node Package Manager), making it a versatile choice for developers.

Installation on Windows

1. Download the Installer

To install Node.js on a Windows machine, visit the official Node.js website at https://nodejs.org/. You will find two versions: LTS (Long-Term Support) and Current. LTS is recommended for most users, as it provides a stable platform. Download the Windows Installer for the version you prefer.

2. Run the Installer

Once the installer is downloaded, run it, and follow the installation wizard. You can accept the default settings during the installation process, which will install both Node.js and npm. Make sure to check the “Automatically install the necessary tools…” option during the installation.

3. Verify the Installation

To verify that Node.js and npm are installed, open the Command Prompt and enter the following commands:

node -v
npm -v

These commands will display the installed Node.js and npm versions if the installation was successful.

Installation on macOS

1. Using Homebrew

If you have Homebrew installed, open your terminal and run the following commands:

brew update
brew install node

This will automatically install the latest version of Node.js and npm.

2. Download the Installer

You can also download the macOS installer from the official Node.js website as you would for Windows. After downloading, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Verify the Installation

To verify the installation, open your terminal and enter the following commands:

node -v
npm -v

This will display the installed Node.js and npm versions if the installation was successful.

Installation on Linux

The installation of Node.js on Linux depends on your distribution. Below are some common methods:

Using a Package Manager (Debian/Ubuntu)

For Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu, you can use the package manager to install Node.js and npm:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install nodejs
sudo apt install npm

Using a Package Manager (Red Hat/Fedora)

For Red Hat-based distributions like Fedora, use the package manager to install Node.js and npm:

sudo dnf install nodejs
sudo dnf install npm

Using Node Version Manager (NVM)

Node Version Manager (NVM) is a popular choice for managing Node.js versions on Linux. To install NVM, use the following commands:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.38.0/install.sh | bash

After installing NVM, you can install Node.js and npm:

nvm install node

Verifying the Installation on Linux

To verify the installation, open your terminal and enter the following commands:

node -v
npm -v

This will display the installed Node.js and npm versions if the installation was successful.

Conclusion

Node.js is a versatile and powerful platform for building server-side applications. The installation process is straightforward on various platforms, and once installed, you can begin building web applications, APIs, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, Node.js is an essential tool to have in your arsenal. Get started today and harness the power of JavaScript on the server-side.