Installing Node.js on Linux Mint

Hello, welcome to our tutorial on installing Node.js on Linux Mint, a modern and user-friendly Linux distribution. Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript on the server side. It's become an essential tool for developers looking to build scalable and high-performance applications. With Linux Mint's robust and stable platform, you have an ideal setting for Node.js development.

In this tutorial, we'll walk through the process of installing Node.js on Linux Mint, ensuring you have all the necessary tools to start building your JavaScript applications. Whether you're a seasoned developer or new to the ecosystem, this guide will provide you with step-by-step instructions, examples, and troubleshooting tips to get Node.js up and running smoothly.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:.

• A Linux Mint system (this guide is tested on versions 19 and 20).
• Access to a terminal window (you can open it using Ctrl+Alt+T).
• A user account with sudo privileges or access to the root account.
• Basic knowledge of terminal commands and package management in Linux.

Updating the System

It's always a good idea to start with an updated system. Open your terminal and run the following commands to update your package list and upgrade existing packages:.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Installation Methods

There are several methods to install Node.js on Linux Mint. We'll cover the most common approaches:.

Using NodeSource Repository

NodeSource provides a repository containing the latest versions of Node.js. Here's how to install Node.js from the NodeSource repository:.

1. Install Node.js:.

Visit the [NodeSource download page](https://github.com/nodesource/distributions#debian-and-ubuntu-based-linux-distributions) to find the installation script for the desired version of Node.js. As of writing, to install the latest version, you can use the following commands:. 


```bash
curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_16.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs
```

Replace `16.x` with the version you wish to install.

2. Verify Installation:.

After the installation is complete, verify it by running:. 


```bash
node -v
npm -v
```

You should see the installed versions of Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) output to the terminal.

Using NVM (Node Version Manager)

NVM is a tool that allows you to install and manage multiple versions of Node.js. It's particularly useful if you work on projects that require different Node.js versions.

1. Install NVM:.

To install NVM, use the following curl command:. 


```bash
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash
```

After the script has finished, close and reopen your terminal, or source your profile file with `source ~/.bashrc` (or `source ~/.bash_profile` for Bash, or the equivalent for your shell).

2. Install Node.js with NVM:.

Now, install the version of Node.js you need:. 


```bash
nvm install node # for the latest version
```

Or specify a version:. 


```bash
nvm install 14.17.0 # for a specific version
```

3. Set Default Node.js Version:.

To set a default Node.js version with NVM, use:. 


```bash
nvm alias default 14.17.0


```

4. Verify Installation:.

As before, verify the installation with:. 


```bash
node -v
npm -v
```

Using the Official OS Repositories

Linux Mint's repositories may not always have the latest version of Node.js, but they are a reliable source for a stable version.

1. Install Node.js:.

```bash
sudo apt install nodejs npm


```

2. Verify Installation:.

Check the installed versions:. 


```bash
node -v
npm -v
```

Using Snap Packages

Snap is a package management system developed by Canonical for operating systems that use the Linux kernel.

1. Install Node.js via Snap:.

```bash
sudo snap install node --classic
```

2. Verify Installation:.

Verify the installation:. 


```bash
node -v
npm -v
```

Managing Node.js Versions with NVM

If you've installed Node.js using NVM, you can easily switch between versions:.

nvm use 12.22.1

To list all installed Node.js versions:.

nvm ls

Configuring npm

To configure npm, you might want to set up your own .npmrc file in your home directory to customize npm's behavior. For example:.

echo 'prefix=~/.npm-global' >> ~/.npmrc

You can also configure npm to always install packages globally into this directory by appending this line to your .bashrc, .bash_profile, or equivalent shell configuration file:.

export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH

Remember to source your profile file after making changes:.

source ~/.bashrc

Installing Global Packages

To install packages globally with npm, use the -g flag:.

npm install -g <package-name>

This is useful for command-line tools that you want to be accessible from any location in your system.

Setting Up a Node.js Project

1. Create a Project Directory:.

```bash
mkdir my-node-project
cd my-node-project


```

2. Initialize a Project:.

```bash
npm init -y


```

This command creates a `package.json` file with default values.

3. Add Dependencies:.

To add a dependency to your project:. 


```bash
npm install <package-name>
```

This will install the package in the `node_modules` directory and update your `package.json` file.

Security Considerations

Security is paramount when developing applications. To check for security vulnerabilities in your project's dependencies, use:.

npm audit

This command will analyze your project for vulnerabilities and suggest updates to your packages.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Permission Issues: If you encounter permission issues with global packages, consider changing npm's default directory as mentioned in the "Configuring npm" section.
• Outdated Versions: If the version of Node.js in the official repositories is outdated, consider using NodeSource or NVM for a more recent version.
• Path Issues: If Node.js or npm is not recognized after installation, ensure that the binary paths are included in your system's PATH environment variable.

Last word

You've now learned multiple ways to install Node.js on Linux Mint. Whether you chose to use NodeSource, NVM, the official repositories, or Snap packages, you're ready to start building your JavaScript applications on a solid foundation.

Regularly run npm audit to check for vulnerabilities, and keep an eye on the Node.js release schedule for updates.

Further Reading

• Node.js Official Documentation.

• NPM Official Documentation.

• NVM GitHub Repository.

Appendix: Uninstalling Node.js

If you need to uninstall Node.js, the process will depend on how you installed it:.

• Using APT (Official Repositories or NodeSource):.

sudo apt remove nodejs npm
sudo apt autoremove

• Using Snap:.

sudo snap remove node

• Using NVM:.

NVM allows you to remove installed versions of Node.js:.

nvm uninstall 14.17.0

To remove NVM itself, follow the instructions in the NVM GitHub repository.

By following this guide, you should have a fully functional Node.js environment on your Linux Mint system. Enjoy developing your applications, and don't hesitate to explore further to expand your Node.js knowledge!