Node.js runs JavaScript applications, servers, and development tools outside the browser.

Lichaamsdeel: Algemeen

Node.js is for web developers, students learning JavaScript, and anyone using tools that require Node.js or npm. It provides a runtime for server-side applications as well as the command-line and build tools used in modern web projects, including projects that produce front-end code.

In daily use, Node.js lets you install project dependencies from the npm registry and run scripts defined by a project. The npm package manager is installed with Node.js, so developers can use both from the command line without setting up a separate package manager.

Features that support development work

Node.js is built on Chrome’s V8 engine and can run web servers, APIs, command-line utilities, and build tooling for frameworks such as React, Vue, and Angular. Its built-in modules cover common tasks, including file-system access, HTTP communication, streams, and cryptography. A built-in test runner is also available, so these functions do not require additional packages.

For scripts that need to respond to edits, watch mode can restart a program when its files change. Running a script with node –watch is useful during development when repeated manual restarts would interrupt the workflow.

The runtime supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing the same Node.js code to run across those platforms. Node.js is open source under the MIT license, and the npm registry provides a broad collection of packages. Package quality and security vary, however, so developers should assess dependencies before adding them to a project.

Choosing a release and installing on Windows

Node.js has two release lines. LTS, or long-term support, is intended for stability and receives security fixes over an extended period. Current provides the newest features. LTS is the usual choice for production work and for most users, while Current is appropriate when a project specifically needs its newer capabilities.

The Windows installer is a 64-bit MSI for the current LTS release. Keeping the default PATH option allows the command-line tools to be found from a terminal. The installer also offers an optional Tools for Native Modules step, which installs Python and Visual Studio Build Tools through Chocolatey. Skip that step unless an npm package needs to compile native code.

After installation, check that both commands are available by running node -v and npm -v. These commands report the installed runtime and package-manager versions, making it straightforward to confirm that the setup completed.

When another setup approach may be needed

Node.js is less convenient when separate projects require different runtime versions. The standard installation does not provide per-project version switching, so managing that situation requires a separate version manager. For a single runtime used across projects, the LTS installer keeps setup direct; projects with conflicting version needs call for a more flexible arrangement.

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