How to Install Node.js

Node.js is a powerful JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 engine that allows developers to build scalable network applications. This tutorial will walk you through the steps to install Node.js on various Linux distributions.

1. Updating Your Package Index

Before installing Node.js, it’s essential to update your package index. Open your terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt update

For CentOS, use:

sudo yum update

2. Installing Node.js

The installation process may vary depending on your Linux distribution:

• For Ubuntu: You can use the NodeSource repository to install the latest version of Node.js:

curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs

• For CentOS: Likewise, use NodeSource for the latest version:

curl -sL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo bash -
sudo yum install -y nodejs

3. Verifying the Installation

After installation, you can verify that Node.js is correctly installed by checking its version:

node -v

To check the version of npm (Node Package Manager) that was installed alongside Node.js, run:

npm -v

4. Creating a Simple Node.js Application

To test if Node.js works, create a simple Node.js application. Create a new file called app.js:

nano app.js

Add the following code:

console.log('Hello, Node.js!');

Now run your application:

node app.js

You should see the output: Hello, Node.js!

5. Conclusion

By following this tutorial, you have successfully installed Node.js on your Linux system. Node.js provides a powerful platform for building web applications and services using JavaScript. Continue to explore Node.js libraries and frameworks to enhance your development capabilities!

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Dorian Kane

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