An exercise in futility | Installing NodeJS on Linux using NVM

Installing NodeJS on Linux using NVM

25 Jan 2024

tutorials nodejs nvm

Installing Node.js on Linux Using Node Version Manager (NVM)

Introduction

Node.js, a runtime environment for executing JavaScript code server-side, is an essential tool in modern web development. In this tutorial, we’ll focus on installing Node.js on a Linux system using Node Version Manager (NVM). NVM is a handy tool that allows you to install multiple versions of Node.js and switch between them with ease.

Why NVM?

Before diving into the installation process, let’s understand why NVM is a preferred choice for many developers:

Multiple Node Versions: NVM allows you to install and manage multiple versions of Node.js. This is particularly useful when working on different projects that require different Node versions.
Easy Switching: Switching between Node versions is a breeze with NVM. This flexibility is crucial for testing and development.
No Sudo Required: NVM installs Node.js in your home directory, eliminating the need for administrator privileges.

Prerequisites

A Linux-based operating system
Basic knowledge of the Linux command line
Access to a terminal

Step 1: Installing NVM

Open your terminal.
Download and install NVM by running the following command. This command fetches the install script from NVM’s GitHub repository and runs it:
```
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash
```
Activate NVM without restarting the terminal:
```
source ~/.bashrc
```
Note: If you’re using a shell other than bash, replace .bashrc with your shell’s respective configuration file, like .zshrc for Zsh.

Step 2: Installing Node.js

List all available Node.js versions:
```
nvm list-remote
```
Install a specific Node.js version. For example, to install Node.js version 16.14.0, use:
```
nvm install 16.14.0
```
Alternatively, you can install the latest version with:
```
nvm install node
```
Verify the installation by checking the Node.js version:
```
node -v
```

Step 3: Managing Node Versions

Switch between installed Node versions. For instance, to switch to version 14.17.0:
```
nvm use 14.17.0
```
List all installed Node versions:
```
nvm ls
```
Set a default Node version:
```
nvm alias default 16.14.0
```

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, ensure that NVM’s installation script executed correctly and that your shell’s configuration file (like .bashrc or .zshrc) was updated.
If commands like nvm or node are not recognized, reopen your terminal or re-source your configuration file.

Conclusion

NVM offers a straightforward and flexible way to manage Node.js installations. It’s particularly beneficial for developers working across multiple projects requiring different Node versions. With NVM, you can easily install, switch, and manage multiple Node.js versions on your Linux system, making your development process smoother and more efficient. Remember, staying updated with Node.js versions is crucial for security and access to the latest features, and NVM makes this task hassle-free.