How to Install Node.js on Generic Linux

If you’re encountering the “node command not found” error on a generic Linux distribution, you may need to install Node.js to access the node command. Node.js is a JavaScript runtime built on Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine, used for building scalable network applications. Here’s how you can install Node.js on your generic Linux system.

Installation Steps

1. Update Package Index:

   sudo apt update
   

2. Install Node.js:

   sudo apt install nodejs
   

3. Verify Installation: Verify that Node.js has been installed correctly by checking the version:

   node -v
   

Compatibility Issues and Solutions

If the above commands are not compatible with your Linux distribution, you may need to adjust them based on your package manager. Here are some common package managers and the corresponding commands:

• For yum:

  • Update Package Index: sudo yum check-update
  • Install Node.js: sudo yum install nodejs
  • Verify Installation: node -v

• For dnf:

  • Update Package Index: sudo dnf check-update
  • Install Node.js: sudo dnf install nodejs
  • Verify Installation: node -v

• For zypper:

  • Update Package Index: sudo zypper refresh
  • Install Node.js: sudo zypper install nodejs
  • Verify Installation: node -v

Conclusion

By following these steps and adjusting the commands according to your Linux distribution’s package manager, you should be able to successfully install Node.js on your generic Linux system and resolve the “node command not found” issue. Node.js is a powerful tool for building server-side applications and APIs, and having it installed on your system can greatly enhance your development capabilities.