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Install Node.js and NPM on Windows and MacOS

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05th Sep, 2023
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    Install Node.js and NPM on Windows and MacOS

    Today, we will look at Node.js, a JavaScript server-side programming language developed on the server and used to create web servers. It can run on various operating systems. We will also see how we can install Node.js on Windows and macOS along with its usage. You can learn Node.js or even brush up your skills while earning certification with this certification course on Node.js. 

    What is Node.js? 

    Node.js is a server-side built JavaScript language. Node.js is especially well-suited to serving client queries made via an API; therefore, it's ideal for Single Page Applications (SPAs) running on clients like laptops or smartphones. Node.js is well-suited to the expanding number of microservices designs on the web, in which a client may access several services operating on various servers at the same time. 

    Brendan Eich of Netscape created JavaScript in the 1990s as a scripting language that could add dynamic features to a web page from an HTML file running in the Netscape browser. A callback function, which is a function supplied as an input to another function, is a useful feature of JavaScript. Callback functions make asynchronous tasks like server disc access possible, allowing Node.js to manage large amounts of API calls with a queue of requests. Node.js never waits (blocks) for what it needs to respond to a request. It simply moves on to the next request and "returns" when the previous request is ready to be handled, such as when the data from the disc is returned. 

    You can join a full stack developer course to begin your journey and learn more about the domain and get hands-on knowledge of different development concepts. 

    How to Install Node.js and NPM on Windows 

    Step 1: Download Node.js Installer 

    Go to https://nodejs.org/en/download/ via a web browser. To get the newest default version, click the Windows Installer button. Version 16.15.0-x64 is the latest version of Node JS that is currently available.  

    Step 2: Installing Node JS from the installer window 

    1. Run the installer when it has finished downloading. Click the file on the downloads link in your browser. Alternatively, go to the directory where you saved the file and right-click and click Open or double-click to open it.
    2. If the system prompts you to launch the program, select Run.
    3. The Node.js Setup Wizard will appear, and you now need to click on Next.
    4. Review the licensing agreement on the following screen. Agree to the terms and policies provided to you after reading them carefully.
    5. The installer will ask you where you want to install it. Leave the default location unless you need it at another location, and then click on Next.
    6. The wizard will let you select components to include or remove from the installation. Again, accept the defaults unless you have a specific need by clicking Next.
    7. Finally, to start the installer, click the Install option. Click Finish when it's finished.

    Step 3: Verify Installation 

    Enter the following into a command prompt (or PowerShell): 

    $ node -v 

    The system should show the Node.js version installed on your machine. You can use the same logic for NPM: 

    $ npm -v 

    How to Install Node.js and NPM on MacOS

    Step 1: Download the .pkg Installer. 

    For Mac, Node provides a .pkg installer. We may also get it via the company's official website. To download the .pkg installer, go to the macOS Installer option on the official website and download it to your preferred location. 

    Step 2: Run Node.js Installer 

    Your installer is now ready to use. Let’s go to the steps of installing it one by one. All these steps would be what you will be facing in the installer: 

    Introduction > Continue License > Select Continue > Agree Installation Type > Install > Authenticate with your Mac to allow the Installation > Install Software Summary > Close 

    Step 3: Verify Node.js Installation 

    Run the following command in your terminal to see if Node.js is installed correctly on your Mac: 

    $ node -v 

    Step 4: Update NPM 

    Run the following command to update the NPM package manager once Node JS is installed. 

    $ sudo npm install npm --global  

    Step 5: Set Node JS in the PATH variable 

    $ *export PATH=/usr/local/git/bin:/usr/local/bin:$PATH* 

    Usage of Node.js 

    1. Create a basic http server in node.js
    var http = require('http'); 
     http.createServer(function (req, res) { 
    res.writeHead(200, {'Content-Type': 'text/html'}); 
    res.end('Hello!'); 
     }).listen(8080); 
    1. Online Chat Rooms

    Nowadays, most individuals utilize phone-based applications or social media sites to communicate with their pals. Independent chat rooms are probably not very popular on today's Internet, but they are frequently used in online games that are more enjoyable when they include a chat component. Chat rooms may be readily created with Node.js. 

    1. Data Collection

    With Node.js, massive volumes of data can be gathered and processed more efficiently. Because database access is a stopped action, significant amounts of data entering a database frequently create a bottleneck. Node.js, on the other hand, receives this data and sends it in pieces to the backend. This guarantees that data is saved without causing any system to malfunction. 

    1. Online streaming

    Video and audio media content files are uploaded to streaming video sites like YouTube and Facebook and then processed so that they may be viewed or heard by people all over the world. After these files have been submitted, they will be processed. These movies may be handled as they are being uploaded using Node.js apps. This earns you a lot of time and allows media to be sent quickly. Other data kinds, such as real-time input and output, require real-time processing to collaborate on projects with colleagues halfway around the world. 

    1. Average Stack

    Because the MEAN Stack is entirely written in JavaScript, it is well worth investigating. MEAN stack makes application development straightforward for both developers and devices. MEAN can also be used in combination with other modules. Mongoose is used in conjunction with Node.js, making MongoDB integration considerably easier. N in Node.js also stands for N in MEAN Stack. 

    1. Applications in Real-Time

    Node.js is an excellent solution for applications that process many brief messages with little delay. Node.js makes it simple to create such systems. Node.js may also be used to create real-time collaborative sketching and editing applications. Trello and DropBox are two examples. 

    1. Scalable and Fast Applications

    If there are a lot of requests, Ruby on Rails is probably not fast enough. Node.js has shown to be effective in instances when speedier and more scalable software is required. The node can handle many requests in a short amount of time, and it distributes information like validation code between client and server. This makes Node.js apps ideal for current web applications. With node.js, you can perform a lot of processing on the client-side. Node.js is a common server-side language for single-page applications and mobile apps where the client does the rendering, and the backend provides a JSON API. 

    1. Preparation

    When processing large amounts of IO-bound requests, Node.js comes in handy. It will not be efficient if many CPU processing requests are necessary to fulfill the request. If it's basically about shifting data around, then node.js will be quite efficient. With the same hardware, a single instance can handle more queries. Node.js outperforms traditional massive and bulky apps like rails. 

    1. Object Database Using API

    Although Node.js excels in real-time applications, it's an excellent choice for exposing data from object databases (e.g., MongoDB). Even when there is no impedance mismatch and data conversion, Node.js can work thanks to JSON stored data. 

    1. Input Queue

    As previously said, when a large volume of data is received simultaneously, a database becomes a bottleneck. However, Node.js apps can support many database connections. Even under tremendous demand, the system remains responsive, which is extremely important. 

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    Conclusion 

    We talked about Node.js, its installation process in Windows and macOS, and its uses. The Window installation is primarily based on GUI and does not require us to set PATH variables in the system. While the Mac OS required a few sets of commands to install Node JS completely. We also saw how Node JS could be used to create servers and other web services. You can learn Node.js at KnowledgeHut to add more skills to your resume and get benefited. 

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    1How can I install numerous versions of Node.js on Windows?

    We can tackle this problem by using a project called Node Version Manager for Windows. 

    2What is the process of installing the NPM version on a MAC?

    npm comes packed with Node.js so that when you install Node.js, it will also install npm. Run the following command to update the NPM package manager once Node JS is installed. 

    $ sudo npm install npm --global  
    3How can I install node versions on Windows without NPM?

    The simple way is to visit the repositories and select the version. Alternatively, we can use nvm to install specific versions on our machine. 

    4Is it possible to install two versions of Node.js?

    The Node Version Manager can be used (NVM) for this task. NVM, lets you install many Node JS versions on the same system and switch between them. 

    5How can I install the NPM version on a Mac?

    We can use nvm to install a specific version of Node on Mac using the following command: 

    $ nvm install <version>  
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    Experienced Senior Content Developer with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. Enthusiastic and dedicated person in the field of Computer Science. Skilled at my work area and believe in working with passion and work ethics. Have a good understanding of programming languages, operating systems, and databases. I have good communication skills and interested in staying updated with technology and learning new things.

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