How to Install Node.js: A Step-by-Step Guide

Node.js is a powerful runtime environment that allows developers to run JavaScript on the server side. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced developer, installing Node.js correctly is crucial. In this guide, we'll walk through the installation process for Windows, macOS, and Linux, along with verifying the installation and setting up a basic project.

Why Use Node.js?

Node.js is widely used for backend development, real-time applications, APIs, and more. Some benefits include:

• Non-blocking, event-driven architecture.
• High performance due to the V8 JavaScript engine.
• Large ecosystem with npm (Node Package Manager).

Installing Node.js on Windows

Step 1: Download the Installer

1. Visit the official Node.js download page.
2. Choose the LTS (Long-Term Support) version for stability.
3. Download the Windows Installer (.msi file).

Step 2: Run the Installer

1. Open the downloaded .msi file.
2. Follow the installation wizard and accept the terms.
3. Select the default settings and complete the installation.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

Open Command Prompt (Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter) and run:

node -v

This should display the installed Node.js version. Also, verify npm (Node Package Manager) with:

npm -v

Installing Node.js on macOS

Step 1: Use Homebrew (Recommended)

If you don’t have Homebrew, install it first by running:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Then, install Node.js with:

brew install node

Step 2: Verify Installation

Check the versions:

node -v
npm -v

Installing Node.js on Linux

Step 1: Update the System Packages

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Node.js using apt

sudo apt install nodejs npm -y

Step 3: Verify Installation

node -v
npm -v

Installing Node.js via Node Version Manager (NVM)

Using NVM is the best way to manage multiple Node.js versions.

Step 1: Install NVM

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.3/install.sh | bash

Restart the terminal and verify the installation:

command -v nvm

Step 2: Install and Use Node.js

nvm install --lts
nvm use --lts

Creating a Simple Node.js Project

Let's create a basic Node.js application.

Step 1: Initialize a New Project

mkdir my-node-app
cd my-node-app
npm init -y

This creates a package.json file, which manages the project dependencies.

Step 2: Create an index.js File

Inside the project folder, create index.js and add:

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

Step 3: Run the Script

node index.js

It should output:

Hello, Node.js!

Conclusion

Now, you've successfully installed Node.js on your system and created a simple project. If you’re working on enterprise-level applications, integrating different systems is crucial. Check out our System Integration Services to streamline your development workflow efficiently.

Node.js provides a vast ecosystem for building scalable applications. Keep exploring and happy coding!