Installing Node.js and NPM on Your Desktop

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing Node.js and NPM on your desktop. Whether you're using Windows, MacOS, or Linux, this guide will help you set up a development environment for working with Node.js, enabling you to create powerful full stack applications. This tutorial was created in 2016, and we have added notes to cover important updates since then.

Step 1: Downloading Node.js

To begin, you'll need to download the Node.js installer from the official Node.js website. For stability and support, we recommend downloading the LTS (Long-Term Support) version.

1. Visit https://nodejs.org.
2. Choose the LTS version for your platform: Windows, MacOS, or Linux.
3. Click the download button to get the installer.

Critical Update (2024): As of recent updates, Node.js has introduced new features and more frequent releases. Always make sure you use the LTS version for long-term stability in your projects.

Step 2: Installing Node.js and NPM

Once the installer is downloaded, you can proceed with the installation. The Node.js installer also includes NPM (Node Package Manager), which is a crucial tool for managing libraries and dependencies.

Windows Installation

1. Run the Installer: Locate the downloaded .msi file and run it.
2. Follow the Setup Wizard: Make sure to check the box to add Node.js to your system PATH.
3. Complete the Installation: Finish the installation process by following the prompts.

MacOS Installation

1. Open the Installer: Locate the .pkg file and double-click to open it.
2. Follow the Prompts: Complete the setup process by following the instructions.

Linux Installation

For Linux users, you can install Node.js via the package manager.

1. Open Terminal: Use the terminal to install Node.js.
2. Install Using apt (Debian/Ubuntu):

   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install -y nodejs npm
   

Critical Update (2024): For managing multiple versions of Node.js, it is recommended to use nvm (Node Version Manager). This allows you to easily switch between Node.js versions, especially when working on different projects.

Step 3: Verifying Installation

To verify that Node.js and NPM have been installed correctly, open your terminal or command prompt and type the following commands:

node -v
npm -v

These commands will display the installed versions of Node.js and NPM. If you see version numbers, it means the installation was successful.

Note: It is important to keep both Node.js and NPM updated to the latest versions to take advantage of security patches and new features.

Step 4: Configuring Node.js

After installing Node.js and NPM, you can configure your development environment by installing globally useful packages:

• nodemon: Automatically restarts your Node.js application when file changes are detected.

  npm install -g nodemon
  

• npm-check-updates: Helps you keep your project dependencies up to date.

  npm install -g npm-check-updates
  

Conclusion

By the end of this tutorial, you should have Node.js and NPM installed and ready to use on your desktop. This setup is essential for developing modern JavaScript applications, including full stack projects with React. With Node.js and NPM installed, you're well on your way to building dynamic, server-side JavaScript applications.

Reminder: Always use the LTS version of Node.js for stability, and consider using nvm if you need to manage multiple Node.js versions for different projects.