How to Install Node.js on Linux

Installing Node.js on a Linux-based operating system can vary slightly depending on your distribution. This guide will walk you through various methods to install Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) on Linux, whether using Ubuntu, Debian, or other distributions.

Prerequisites

• A Linux System: such as Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, Fedora, or any other popular distribution. The installation steps may vary slightly between distributions, but most methods work on all major Linux distros.
• Access to the Command Line: You will need terminal access with root or sudo privileges to install software and packages.
• Updated System: It’s essential that your system’s package list is up-to-date.
• Internet Connection: An active internet connection is required to download Node.js and npm packages.

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1. Use Package Manager

For most Linux distributions, the easiest way to install Node.js is through the default package manager. Here’s how to do it for common distributions:

Steps to Install Node.js on Ubuntu/Debian

Step 1: Update your system

Before installing Node.js, make sure your package list is up to date.

sudo apt update

Step 2: Upgrade the system

Once updates are installed you need to upgrade your system and to do this enter the below command.

sudo apt upgrade

Step 3: Install Node.js

Ubuntu and Debian come with the apt package manager, which can be used to install Node.js. You can install Node.js directly from the official Ubuntu repositories.

sudo apt install nodejs

Step 4: Install npm

npm is the package manager that comes bundled with Node.js. If it is not installed automatically, you can install it separately.

sudo apt install npm

Step 5: Verify the Installation

To confirm that Node.js and npm are installed correctly, you can check their versions using:

• Type node -v and press Enter to check the Node.js version.
• Type npm -v and press Enter to check the npm version.
• Both commands should return version numbers, confirming successful installation.

Steps to Install Node.js on CentOS/RHEL

Step 1: Update your system

sudo yum update

Step 2: Install Node.js

You can install Node.js by adding the NodeSource repository:

curl -sL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_16.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo yum install -y nodejs

Step 3: Verify the Installation

Open Terminal to check the installed versions by running these commands:

• node -v: To check the Node.js Version
• npm -v: To check the npm version

2. Using Node Version Manager

NVM is a popular way to install and manage multiple versions of Node.js. It's ideal if you need to use different versions of Node.js for various projects or if you want to easily upgrade or downgrade Node.js versions.

Step 1: Install and Activate NVM

First, download and install NVM using the following script:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash

Once installed, you need to add NVM to your shell configuration. You can do this by running the following command:

source ~/.bashrc

Step 2: Install Node.js Using NVM

To install the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version of Node.js, run:

nvm install --lts

Switch Node.js Versions

If you need to switch between multiple versions, you can list installed versions using: nvm ls

To switch to a specific version you can use: nvm use 22

Step 3: Verify the Installation

You may now verify the nodejs installation using the following command:

• Type node -v and press Enter to check the Node.js version.
• Type npm -v and press Enter to check the npm version.

Note: Both commands should return version numbers, confirming successful installation.

3. Install Node.js from NodeSource

NodeSource provides an up-to-date repository that ensures you get the latest version of Node.js.

Note: To install NVM on your Ubuntu machine, visit the project’s GitHub page. Copy the curl command from the README file that displays on the main page to get the most recent version of the installation script.

Step 1: Add NodeSource repository

NodeSource maintains separate repositories for each version of Node.js. To install the latest version of Node.js

Before running your actual curl command if you are not a sudo user or root user run the below command:

sudo su        

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_16.x | sudo -E bash -

Step 2: Install Node.js

After adding the repository, install Node.js using apt (for Debian-based systems):

sudo apt install -y nodejs

Step 3: Verify Installation by node -v and npm -v

Use the following command to verify the installations:

node -v

npm -v

4. Using Snap

Snap is another method for installing Node.js on Linux, especially for those who prefer installing software in a containerized form.

Step 1: Install Node.js with Snap

On Ubuntu and other distributions that support Snap, you can install Node.js directly:

sudo snap install node --classic

Step 2: Verify Installation

After installation, check the Node.js version:

node -v

Conclusion

Installing Node.js on Linux is a relatively simple process, but it can vary depending on your distribution and preferred installation method. Using package managers like apt or yum is the easiest method for most users, while NVM provides greater flexibility for managing multiple Node.js versions. With these installation methods, you can easily get Node.js up and running on your Linux machine.