Install Node.js On Ubuntu

What is Node.js?

In simple terms, Node.js is a platform that is open source and used for executing code of Javascript on the server side. It is used extensively to develop applications where a persistent connection between the server and browser is required. It is more often used for real-time apps for instance news feeds, web push notifications, and chat. An exclusive HTTP server is utilized to run Node.js so that a single thread can be deployed with a single process at one time. 

The code which is built on the Node.js platform doesn’t follow traditional methods of getting, processing, waiting, sending, and receiving. Instead, It processes all the incoming requests in a continuous event stack and keeps sending mini requests one by one without holding back the responses. Thus, Node.js is used to build fast and scalable network applications. It is a lightweight, event-driven, and also non-blocking Input/Output model that makes it more efficient. They don't buffer the data. Therefore the success of Node.js has grown over years making it one of the preferred choices for many big companies.

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Who Uses Node.js?

Following are a few examples of well-known companies using Node.js for their applications.

• Ride processing for Uber has become easy with the help of Node.js
• The website experience of Walmart improved by using Node.js
• App performance of Linkedin improved tremendously with the help of Node.js
• Loading time in Paypal decreased with the adoption of Node.js
• Access time in the database at NASA improved with the help of Node.js
• Trello also achieved speedy prototyping by using Node.js.
• Twitter could achieve 5 seconds of loading speed too!
• Groupon also uses Node, js to achieve scalability
• eBay was able to reduce resource utilization with the help of Node.js
• Simplifying feature releases was also possible for yahoo.
• GoDaddy, Citibank, Medium, and others were also in the race to achieve organizational efficiency.

How to Install Node.Js on Ubuntu?

We have understood the concept of Node.js and its use. We also now know the requisites! Let us now dive deep into it by installing Node.js on Ubuntu. Follow the below-mentioned steps to install Node.js

Step 1: To configure Node.Js Personal Package Archives ( PPA)

As discussed above Node.js is available in two different versions. One is the current version and another is LTS. You can select any of the versions depending on the requirements of your project. Now add PPA to the system to begin the installation process of Node.js on Ubuntu.

• Current Release/ LTS version: Node.js 18 and Node.js 16 is the current LTS version of the technology. 

Step 2: Process of installation of Node.js on Ubuntu

After you have completed the configuration of Node.js Personal Package Archives (PPA) on the Ubuntu system. Then, the command needs to be executed so that Node can be installed on Ubuntu using the apt-get. NPM ( Node Package Manager) will also be installed along with it. The command will also install the other packages that are dependent on the system. Here you will complete installing Node.js on the Ubuntu system.

Step 3: Examine the NPM and Node.js version

After you finish the installation of Node.js on the system examine the version of both the NPM  (Node package manager) and Node.js. You can also check the details of each version on the official website.  

Step 4: Build a demo Web server

This is a non-mandatory step. Only, if you want to test the installed Node.js follow this step, You can create a web server to test the following.

Several Ways to Install Node.js

You can also follow various other methods listed below to install Node.js

• Official Installer
• Version manager
• Package manager
• From source

Official Installer:

 One of the most common methods to install Node.js is via the official installers. It is available on the official websites of Node.js. You will be able to find both Windows and macOS and they would also have the current version and LTS version of the releases. Windows has executable i.e .msi installer and macOS has pkg. one. It is similar to the other installers in the market. It will have a clickable UI that will allow you to customize and then install Node.js on the system.  This is the easiest way and you don't have to be an expert nor manual configuration is required.

Package Manager:

If you are the person who enjoys installing and managing the software in the device by using system package managers for instance apt, brew, or Winget, then this is the best option. 

Note: The Node.js packages are not maintained by the core team which means that the new updates might not be released in the package manager that you have selected. In some cases, Node.js gets installed  as a super user making it difficult to install global packages with Node package manager (npm)

Source:

 If you are willing in building and install the Node.js from the source, read the official documentation. Follow the steps mentioned below:

• The first step is to Install all the required dependencies such as  Toolchains and C++ compiler for the target system.
• Then, Python needs to be installed.
• From the official repository download the source code.
• Launch the  ./configure and then use make
• Now, test the compiled version using the make test.
• Use make it to install it.

Version Manager:

Many developers around the globe prefer using a version manager for the installation of Node.js. Few version managers you use to can Node.js are as follows:

1. Version Manager “n”:  The installation is very simple and easy to use. The n version is more often updated with the latest releases in Node.js. The only drawback of using this is that it does not support windows and if your operating system is Windows that is not the right option for you!
2. Version Manager using nvm: This is the most famous version currently available in the market. Systems such as macOS, windows WSL, and UNIX. You can make use of the script of the official installer to install it. One of the key advantages of nvm is that it permits the users to specify the version of Node.js that the user prefers for the project.

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Creating a simple Node.Js server

Let us now learn to create a simple Node.js web server. We would require a text editor, Atom or Visual studio code is highly recommended.  Then, create a code for the server. 

The code should have the following elements:

• To interact with the web, declare HTTP as a variable that will import and also contain a module of HTTP.
• Use create server a method that the HTTP module has already to create a server using a function with the two parameters res (response) and req( request).
• To forward a string toward a website page you can use the res (response) parameter.
• Now, set the server.
• Also, a console.log method is used so that the output of the program can be logged in the terminal or cmd. If the method that you are using works fine it will be indicated as it displays the string that is enclosed in the brackets.
• The last step is to save the file and the name should be server.js

We can begin the node.js server using the command. You should note the following points:

• Examine the response of the website page by choosing the port and also the defined URL.
• Since we know the string that was defined within the brackets of the console.log, you will be able to see the server running and working.

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Node.Js Prerequisites

Before the installation of Node.js make sure that you have gathered all the information and also downloaded the required files and all the elements. If you know the OOP’s (object-oriented programming) concepts working on the server side of the coding will be easy. Go step by step instead of going deep into the learning. Take it slowly!

System Requirements

Node.js does not require any specific hardware or setup to run. Most of the computers in this era can handle it efficiently. Even computers such as Arduino YUN or Beaglebone will be able to run Node.js.  It depends on what memory hog software is running on the system.  But should not be much of a concern!

Current Version vs LTS Version

Node.js offers different versions for its users: One is LTS and another is current.

As the name implies current version is the latest version of the technology with the most recent updates. But it lacks support and can have bugs. Whereas, LTS i.e. Long Term support is the one that has been around in the market and also has required support from the community.  If you want to have a hassle-free experience consider the LTS version and if you are adventurous and want to explore new technology you can choose the current version.

Advantages of Node.js

Following are the advantages of using Node.js in an organization:

Easy to learn:

Node.js is easy to learn once the user knows javascript and OOP’s concepts (Object-oriented programming). There is no learning curve you can start easily. The only difficult part about Node.js is knowing the client-server model properly and also the asynchronous flow of Node. 

Scalability:

Scalability is one of the biggest advantages of Node.j especially for companies who intend to grow in due course. Many companies choose Node.js because it is lightweight and has a fast system that can be scaled easily. Also, more modules can be added in the future. The objective of scalability is achieved with the ability to handle numerous concurrent connections simultaneously. It supports both horizontal and vertical scaling. Node.js also goes along with microservices architecture and it is very much possible to develop a separate microservice to scale it independently for any function.

Simplicity:

Every company intends to keep things simple and that is why they prefer Node.js. The use of a single language for both the client side and the server eases life. There is no need of switching between the front-end and back-end. Thereby resulting in requiring a few lines of code as compared to the others in the market. With a single code and deployment, everything is all in one place. 

Speeds up time to market:

Node.js can reduce the development time of any application drastically. With the help of Node.js, the user can go from idea to development in a snap. Since the deployments are simple immediate feedback is possible from production. In a nutshell, Node.js is helpful for those startups or companies that are looking to launch their product in the market within no time.

Conclusion

Hope you have now learned the installation process of Node.js and how easy and simple it is!  All you need is a basic understanding to begin. Node.js has a promising career along with lucrative remuneration. Go step by step from basic to advance. Explore all the world of opportunities of Node.js by visiting HKR training. Get hands-on experience and learn under expert guidance. If you have any queries comment in the section below

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