Getting Started with Node.js

Getting Node.js

There are different ways of getting Node.js:

1. Downloading installers or binaries
   • https://nodejs.org/en/download/
2. Build from source code
3. For OSX and Linux environment, manage multiple version using nvm tool
   • We will be installing Node.js using the nvm tool for OSX

Installing Node Version Manager nvm tool

• Manual install of nvm:

$ git clone https://github.com/creationix/nvm.git ~/nvm

• Use source command load function file(nvm.sh) into the command prompt:

$ . ~/nvm/nvm.sh

• Test nvm:

$ nvm

Installing Node.js using nvm tool

• Install multiple versions of node:

$ nvm install v4.4.2
$ nvm install v5.10.1

• List installed node versions:

$ nvm ls

• Display current version:

$ node -v

• Switch node version:

$ nvm use v4.2.2

• Set Alias default:

$ nvm alias default v5.10.1

• Run node (Enters REPL[Read Eval Print Loop] Terminal):

$ node
> console.log("Node Intro");
Hello World
undefined
>
(^C again to quit)
>
##

Running a simple web server

• Create a server.js file

  const http = require('http');
  
  const hostname = '127.0.0.1';
  const port = 1337;
  
  http.createServer((req, res) => {
    res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' });
    res.end('Node Intro\n');
  }).listen(port, hostname, () => {
    console.log('Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/');
  });
  

• Then run $ node server.js
• Open http://127.0.0.1:1337 in browser to test your simple web server