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Node.js Console
The Node.js console module provides a simple debugging console similar to JavaScript
console mechanism provided by web browsers.

There are three console methods that are used to write any node.js stream:

1. console.log()
2. console.error()
3. console.warn()

Node.js console.log()
The console.log() function is used to display simple message on console.

File: console_example1.js

1. console.log('Hello JavaTpoint');

Open Node.js command prompt and run the following code:

1. node console_example1.js

We can also use format specifier in console.log() function.

File: console_example2.js

1. console.log('Hello %s', 'JavaTpoint');

Open Node.js command prompt and run the following code:

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1. node console_example2.js

Node.js console.error()
The console.error() function is used to render error message on console.

File: console_example3.js

1. console.error(new Error('Hell! This is a wrong method.'));

Open Node.js command prompt and run the following code:

1. node console_example3.js

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Node.js console.warn()
The console.warn() function is used to display warning message on console.

File: console_example4.js

1. const name = 'John';

2. console.warn(`Don't mess with me ${name}! Don't mess with me!`);

Open Node.js command prompt and run the following code:

1. node console_example4.js

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Node.js REPL
The term REPL stands for Read Eval Print and Loop. It specifies a computer environment
like a window console or a Unix/Linux shell where you can enter the commands and the
system responds with an output in an interactive mode.

REPL Environment
The Node.js or node come bundled with REPL environment. Each part of the REPL
environment has a specific work.

Read: It reads user's input; parse the input into JavaScript data-structure and stores in
memory.

Eval: It takes and evaluates the data structure.

Print: It prints the result.

Loop: It loops the above command until user press ctrl-c twice.

How to start REPL

You can start REPL by simply running "node" on the command prompt. See this:

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You can execute various mathematical operations on REPL Node.js command prompt:

Node.js Simple expressions

After starting REPL node command prompt put any mathematical expression:

1. Example: >10+20-5
2. 25

1. Example2: >10+12 + (5*4)/7

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Using variable
Variables are used to store values and print later. If you don't use var keyword then value
is stored in the variable and printed whereas if var keyword is used then value is stored
but not printed. You can print variables using console.log().

Example:

Node.js Multiline expressions

Node REPL supports multiline expressions like JavaScript. See the following do-while loop
example:

1. var x = 0
2. undefined
3. > do {
4. ... x++;
5. ... console.log("x: " + x);
6. ... } while ( x < 10 );

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Node.js Underscore Variable

You can also use underscore _ to get the last result.

Example:

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Node.js REPL Commands
Commands Description

ctrl + c It is used to terminate the current command.

ctrl + c twice It terminates the node repl.

ctrl + d It terminates the node repl.

up/down keys It is used to see command history and modify previous commands.

tab keys It specifies the list of current command.

.help It specifies the list of all commands.

.break It is used to exit from multi-line expressions.

.clear It is used to exit from multi-line expressions.

.save filename It saves current node repl session to a file.

.load filename It is used to load file content in current node repl session.

Node.js Exit REPL

Use ctrl + c command twice to come out of Node.js REPL.

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Node.js Package Manager
Node Package Manager provides two main functionalities:

o It provides online repositories for node.js packages/modules which are searchable

on search.nodejs.org
o It also provides command line utility to install Node.js packages, do version
management and dependency management of Node.js packages.

The npm comes bundled with Node.js installables in versions after that v0.6.3. You can
check the version by opening Node.js command prompt and typing the following
command:

1. npm version

Installing Modules using npm

Following is the syntax to install any Node.js module:

1. npm install <Module Name>

Let's install a famous Node.js web framework called express: 10s

Open the Node.js command prompt and execute the following command:

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1. npm install express

You can see the result after installing the "express" framework.

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Global vs Local Installation
By default, npm installs dependency in local mode. Here local mode specifies the folder
where Node application is present. For example if you installed express module, it created
node_modules directory in the current directory where it installed express module.

You can use npm ls command to list down all the locally installed modules.

Open the Node.js command prompt and execute "npm ls":

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Globally installed packages/dependencies are stored in system directory. Let's install

express module using global installation. Although it will also produce the same result but
modules will be installed globally.

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Open Node.js command prompt and execute the following code:

1. npm install express -g

Here first line tells about the module version and its location where it is getting installed.

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Uninstalling a Module
To uninstall a Node.js module, use the following command:

1. npm uninstall express

The Node.js module is uninstalled. You can verify by using the following command:

1. npm ls

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You can see that the module is empty now.

Searching a Module
"npm search express" command is used to search express or module.

1. npm search express

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