Run node js server in ubuntu

Question

I have tried so far installed node.js and npm via

sudo apt-get install nodejs and sudo apt-get install npm . Then I tried typing node on bash nothing happens, I tried using node app.js nothing happens to no error

Answer 1

From our discussion here

After installing node.js and npm

Create a symbolic link for node:

sudo ln -s /usr/bin/nodejs /usr/bin/node

Now verify commands working with

node -v
npm -v

Run it by using,

node hello.js

In order to test the application, open another terminal session and connect to your web server. Be sure to substitute in the app server's private IP address for APP_PRIVATE_IP_ADDRESS, and the port if you changed it:

curl http://APP_PRIVATE_IP_ADDRESS:8080

reference here

Answer 2

You just need to install one more package to get the links all working:

sudo apt-get install nodejs-legacy

This was explained and answered in detail already here.

Answer 3

The node package that you installed when you ran sudo apt-get install node is not actually NodeJS. Instead, the node package actually predates NodeJS and installs Amateur Packet Radio.

The package you are looking for is actually nodejs. However, installing nodejs on Ubuntu will give you an outdated version of NodeJS. Alternatively, you can install NodeJS using a PPA or from Node Version Manager (nvm).

I've posted a comparison of the different installation methods with pros and cons. My personal preference when installing Node on an Ubuntu development machine is to install using NVM. If you're installing NodeJS on a production server, you'll be better off following instructions from Nodesource.