Today we are going to learn how to install Node.js on Ubuntu 20.04. Node.js is an open-source cross-platform used for developing web applications, network tools, and other such applications. Node.js comes with two versions. One is long term support and the other is the latest version. Just follow the below steps for the easy and optimal installation of Node.js on Ubuntu 20.04.
Step 1: Update your Ubuntu System
To install any package on our system, first update it to the latest packages. Run the below command in your terminal.
sudo apt -y update
Step 2: Installing Node.js on Ubuntu 20.04
Node.js can be installed on our Ubuntu 20.04 system using different methods. Here I listed the three methods to install Node.js on our Ubuntu system.
- By Node Source Repository
- With the help of NVM (I recommend to install using NVM)
- By Ubuntu Repository
You can select your desired option but I recommend to install Node.js using the NVM second method listed above. Here we’ll see all the methods.
Step 3: Install Node.js with Node Source
To install Node.js with the help of Node Source, add the node source repository by firing the below command in your terminal.
Node.js 12 (LTS)
curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_12.x | sudo -E bash -
Node.js 14 (Current Version)
curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash -
After adding the repository simply hit the below command to install the Node.js. There will be also an additional package installed on your system called NPM. NPM is the Node Package Manager used for the purpose of Java language.
sudo apt -y install nodejs
Verify the version of installed Node.js by running the below command.
node -v
Output:
You’ll see the similar results
sabir@Ubuntu20:~$ node -v v12.18.0
Also, you can find the NPM version by typing the given command in your terminal.
npm -v
Output:
sabir@Ubuntu20:~$ npm -v
6.14.4
Step 4: Installing Node.js by NVM
NVM stands for Node Version Manager helps us to switch between the different versions of Node.js. So, you can install the desired one with the help of NVM. To install Node.js using NVM, first install the NVM by typing the below command.
wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.35.3/install.sh | bash
Now, close the terminal and then open it again to make sure that nvm is loaded.
Then install the Node.js with the help of below command.
Node.js 12 (LTS)
nvm install --lts
Node.js 14
nvm install node
Verify the version by
sabir@Ubuntu20:~$ node -v v14.4.0 sabir@Ubuntu20:~$ npm -v 6.14.5 sabir@Ubuntu20:~$
Some NVM Commands
You can list the available versions of Node.js with the help of below command.
nvm ls-remote
For installing the specific version just type the name of the version in front of the nvm install command like below.
nvm install 12.18.0
To get list of all installed versions of Node.js on our system hit
nvm ls
Output:
sabir@Ubuntu20:~$ nvm ls
v12.18.0
-> v14.4.0
system
default -> lts/* (-> v12.18.0)
node -> stable (-> v14.4.0) (default)
stable -> 14.4 (-> v14.4.0) (default)
iojs -> N/A (default)
unstable -> N/A (default)
lts/* -> lts/erbium (-> v12.18.0)
lts/argon -> v4.9.1 (-> N/A)
lts/boron -> v6.17.1 (-> N/A)
lts/carbon -> v8.17.0 (-> N/A)
lts/dubnium -> v10.21.0 (-> N/A)
lts/erbium -> v12.18.0
If you want to use different version from installed hit
nvm use 14.4.0
For removing any version hit
nvm uninstall 12.18.0
Step 5: Install Node.js by Ubuntu Repository
As this is available on Ubuntu repository, so its fast and easy to install hit the below command.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y nodejs
Verify the version by
node -v
So, this is how you can install Node.js on Ubuntu 20.04 using different methods.
