Node.js isaunique tool that allows you toperform exciting JavaScript functions onyour computer. Just like choosing different tools from your toolbox, there may betimes that you have toswitch between Node. jsversions. Inthis case you will need the NVM.
NVM stands for Node Version Manager. It’s atool that lets developers easily manage and switch between different versions ofNode. jsontheir computer. This guide will walk you through the process ofchanging Node. jsversions insimple steps.
Why isNVM important for developers?
Different projects demand specific Node. jsversions for compatibility, testing, orsmooth operation. Enter NVM, agame-changer that grants developers the power tomanage multiple versions effortlessly, ensuring seamless adaptation toany project’s environment.
Why isNVM important for companies?
- When itisnot utilized, developers may berequired tomanually handle Node. jsversions, consuming asubstantial amount oftime. NVM streamlines this process, enabling developers toconcentrate oncoding tasks.
- Employing anincorrect Node. jsversion for aproject can result inunexpected behavior orerrors. NVM helps alleviate this risk bysimplifying the matching ofNode. jsversions with project requirements.
- NVM streamlines onboarding for businesses juggling multiple Node. jsprojects. Iteliminates the friction ofconfiguring local development environments byallowing new developers toseamlessly match project-specific Node. jsversions. This translates tofaster ramp-up times and smoother integration.
The efficiencies and risk reduction enabled with NVM can result incost savings.
AGuide toChanging Node Version
Diverse Node. jsversions can create acomplex environment where each project has its specific requirements. NVM provides precise control over Node. jsinstallations, allowing segregation ofproject dependencies and smooth transitions between versions. This ensures compatibility across various environments, optimizing workflows, and preventing version clashes, thereby maintaining astreamlined and predictable development process.
Example:
You’re working onaproject that uses Library A. This project iscurrently using version 1.0 ofLibrary A. Then, you decide touse another library— Library B. Italso depends onLibrary A, but requires version 2.0.
Your project needs version 1.0 for its original functionality, but italso needs version 2.0 tobeable touse Library B. This isaclassic example ofaversion conflict indevelopment environments.
Tools like NVM (for Node. js) help manage version conflicts byallowing different versions ofthe same library tocoexist indifferent projects oreven indifferent parts ofthe same project. This way, Library Av1.0 can beused where it’s needed, and Library Av2.0 can beused elsewhere, resolving the conflict.
NVM ismore than just apackage manager; it’s aversatile toolset for the Node. jslandscape. Itexpertly manages project dependencies. NVM enables you toeffortlessly interchange versions, promoting adaptability and compatibility within aunified workspace. This eradicates the necessity for multiple system-wide installations, maintaining atidy and productive development environment.
Incontrast toconventional installers, NVM serves asanindependent tool. Itdoesn’t necessitate aprior Node. jsinstallation, operating universally tocater toall your requirements ofthe project. Although NVM doesn’t package Node. jsitself, itoffers arobust command-line interface.
NVM isnot merely atool for managing Node. jsversions; it’s aplatform for establishing segregated environments:
- Each Node. jsversion issafeguarded for your project’s dependencies.
- Itempowers you toconstruct and administer multiple versions onasingular device.
- Iteradicates dependency clashes and maintains aneat and effective development environment.
Setting UpNVM ondifferent operating systems
Toset upthe Node Version Manager onboth Windows and macOS systems, follow these guidelines.
Windows
While NVM doesn’t offer direct support for Windows, there’s aworkaround inthe form ofanequivalent tool known as nvm-windows. This tool provides the same functionality asNVM, making itasuitable option for Windows users.
-
Initiate the process bydownloading the nvm-setup.zip file from the official nvm-windows repository
-
Proceed byextracting the contents ofthe downloaded package and executing the nvm-setup.exe file
-
Navigate through the installation guide, adhering tothe instructions provided ateach stage
-
Launch either PowerShell orCommand Prompt. Validate the installation bytyping nvm -v and hitting enter. The version number ofNVM should bedisplayed, confirming the successful installation
MacOS
Before you commence, ensure that Homebrew isinstalled onyour MacOS. Ifitisn’t, the initial step istodownload and install Homebrew.
-
Setting upNVM
-
Downloading and installing the necessary NVM files
-
Create adedicated folder for NVM. This folder will house all the NVM-related files and data
-
Set upthe necessary environment variables
-
Activate these variables inthe current shell environment. This ensures that the shell recognizes the variables and can use them when running NVM
Linux
For NVM installation onLinux, users can choose between curl and wget, both efficient data transfer tools. The choice depends onuser preference and installation needs.
Setting the Default Node Version using NVM
NVM integrates with POSIX standard shells like sh, dash, ksh, zsh, and bash. Its universal compatibility extends todiverse operating systems, including Unix, macOS, and the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), making itaversatile tool for efficient version management.
Advice from OrbitSoft:
Please note that NVM ismainly supported onLinux and Mac operating systems. However, Windows users can use asimilar tool called nvm-windows, developed bycoreybutler. Ifyou are aWindows user without administrator privileges, you can use alternative libraries that allow you toswitch between Node versions easily. One such library isjchip/nvm. Before using this alternative, make sure todelete your old nvm installation.
Toensure that your system functions correctly, you must specify the version ofNode. jsyou are using. Toset aparticular version asthe default using NVM, follow these instructions:
-
Toinstall your required version, use the 'nvm install [version number]' prompt
-
Replace the version number with the required version
-
Toset the installation version asthe default, run 'nvm alias default [version number]'
Customizing your Node. JSenvironment ensures that itmeets your specific requirements, increasing the efficiency and compatibility ofyour engineering efforts.
Tocheck the current version ofNode. JS, run this command:
-
nvm use 16
-
Now using node v16.9.1 (npm v7.21.1)
-
node -v
-
v16.9.1
Ifyou find this version insufficient, the 'nvm use default' command allows you toeasily revert tothe default version. This gives you the flexibility toensure that your preferences are always prioritized.Purpose ofaliases inNVM
InNode. jsversion management (NVM), aliases provide aconvenient way torefer tospecific versions with acustom name. The NVM alias command empowers you tostreamline this process, enabling easy creation and management ofthese shortcuts. Executing this command kicks off the alias creation:
nvm alias defaultNVM aliases act asamnemonic layer for Node. jsversions. This functionality lets you map specific versions tocustom, memorable names. This streamlines switching between projects with varying Node. jsrequirements. You ditch the need torecall and type exact version numbers every time, improving workflow efficiency.
Advice from OrbitSoft:
Tocreate analias named 'project1' through the command, ifyou frequently work with Node. jsversion 14.15.1:
nvm alias project1 14.15.1
After configuring this alias, switching toversion 14.15.1 isaseasy astyping:
nvm use project1
This feature simplifies the management ofversions, saving time and effort, and improving productivity.
List ofInstalled Node. jsVersions
Confirming your Node. jsversion isaquick and easy task, and it’s vital for avariety oftasks, such asdebugging problems, maintaining compatibility with dependencies, and investigating new functions. There are two main methods:
You can find out the list ofexisting Node builds installed asthe default version byusing:
nvm ls
The list displays all installed versions ofNode. js, with the currently active default Node version marked with a → symbol infront ofits number.
How toUpdate Node. jsVersion
Node.js versions can beupdated depending onindividual requirements and project goals. Here we’ll break down afew ofthe most commonly used methods.
NPM
NPM acts asaninstallation gateway for n, aproduct for controlling versions ofNode.js. But n isnot just limited tocontrol— itisalso able tooptimize. There are variants: the latest stable release, anadvanced release with anunstable variant, oraspecific release.
1. Clear the cache.
2. Make n globally available
3. Select the right version ofNode.js.
NVM
Node Version Manager isacommand-line tool designed toenable developers toseamlessly manage multiple versions ofNode. json asingle device. Byassigning distinct Node. jsversions toindividual projects, NVM effectively eradicates version conflicts, streamlining project workflows. Prior toutilizing NVM, installation isessential for seamless operation.
Official Website
Users can access the latest Long-Term Support (LTS) Node. jsbinaries from the official website, easing NPM upgrades. Todeploy, download and run aninstaller for the desired Node. jsversion andOS.
- Customized development and optimization ofwebsites, online stores, mobile applications, corporate platforms, and databases;
- Anassembled development team for outsourcing the creation ofcustomizedIT solutions;
- Coding in C++, JavaScript, Python, PHP with the use ofsuch frameworks asVue. js, Angular, laravel, Django, Express. js, etc.
Get afree consultation
Setting the Default Node. jsVersion Without NVM
This guide details the efficient installation ofNode. jsand its accompanying package manager, npm, onLinux systems. Leveraging your system’s native package manager (e.g., apt, yum) streamlines the process byproviding pre-built binaries for Node. jswithin its repositories. This ensures aquick and hassle-free installation, typically setting upthe most popular version bydefault.
Toacquire the most recent versions ofNode. js, initiate anupdate ofyour package repository. For systems utilizing apt, execute the command sudo apt update. This refreshes the list ofavailable packages, ensuring access tothe latest releases.
Now, toinstall Node. jsand set adefault instance onyour system, run the command sudo apt install nodejs within your terminal.
Verifying the Default Node. jsVersion
For installing anew version, employ «nvm install» or«nvm install node» for the latest version. Toinstall the latest Long Term Support (LTS) version, execute «nvm install --lts».
Tips for using NVM
- Use nvm alias command tocreate shortcuts for different versions ofNode.js. This practice can increase efficiency and reduce the chance oferrors.
- Employ NVM toassess your applications with various versions toverify compatibility and stability.
- Before installing NVM, itisadvisable touninstall any existing Node. jstoprevent potential conflicts.
- Keeping NVM up-to-date isessential toaccess the latest features and improvements, ensuring you are always with the latest updates.
Benefits ofNVM
Why need toutilize NVM?
- Streamlines the installation and removal ofversions across various projects, reducing reliance solely onnpm.
- Facilitates customized environments tailored toeach distinct project.
- Simplifies the intricacies ofhandling different Node. jsversions, providing amore straightforward approach toversion control.
AtOrbitSoft, weunderstand the complexities ofmanaging multiple Node. jsversions. That’s why werecommend using NVM, atool that streamlines the installation and removal ofversions across various projects, facilitates customized Node environments tailored toeach distinct project, and simplifies the intricacies ofhandling different Node. jsversions.
Remember, the key toutilizing NVM effectively istocontinuously seek methods tostreamline your workflow. For more information, reach out tousat OrbitSoft.
FAQs
How doIset NVM asdefault?
NVM doesn’t directly set a default Node. jsversion for the entire system. Instead, itallows you tospecify adefault version that NVM will use for new terminals. You can set this with the nvm alias default <version_number> command.
How tochange the default npm version?
NVM doesn’t directly change the default npm version. However, specifying adefault Node. jsversion with nvm alias default <version_number> will also set the npm version associated with that Node. jsversion asthe default for that terminal session.
What isthe default install directory for nvm?
The default installation directory for Node Version Manager istypically inthe user’s home directory, specifically inasubdirectory named «.nvm». This directory houses the Node. jsversions and related files managed byNVM.
How doIchange myNode version using nvm?
Tochange your Node. jsversion using NVM, you can refer toour comprehensive guide inthe article. The guide provides step-by-step instructions tohelp you seamlessly manage and switch between different Node. jsversions using NVM.
