How to install a previous exact version of a NPM p

Question

I used nvm to download node v0.4.10 and installed npm to work with that version of node.

I am trying to install express using

npm install express -g

and I get an error that express requires node version >= 0.5.0.

Well, this is odd, since I am following the directions for a node+express+mongodb tutorial here that used node v0.4.10, so I am assuming express is/was available to node v0.4.10. If my assumption is correct, how do I tell npm to fetch a version that would work with my setup?

Answer 1

I have a general way to solve this type of problems, which could be helpful too, especially when cloning repositories to run them locally, but requires a little more analysis of the versions.

With the package npm-check-updates I verify the versions of the packages (according to the package.json file) that are not declared in their latest available versions, as shown in the figure (https://www.npmjs.com/package/npm-check-updates):

With this information we can verify the update status of the different packages and make decisions as to which packages to upgrade / degrade and which ones do not.

Assuming that we decided to update all the packages as they are listed, we can use the ncu -u command which only modifies your package.json file. Run npm install to update your installed packages and package-lock.json.

Then, depending on the requirements of the repository, we can refine what is needed, installing the specific versions with npm view <package> versions and npm install <package>@<version>

Answer 2

You can use the following command to install a previous version of an npm package:

npm install packagename@version

Answer 3

It's quite easy. Just write this, for example:

npm install -g npm@4.6.1

Or:

npm install -g npm@latest    // For the last stable version
npm install -g npm@next      // For the most recent release

Answer 4

If you have to install an older version of a package, just specify it

npm install <package>@<version>

For example: npm install express@3.0.0

You can also add the --save flag to that command to add it to your package.json dependencies, or --save --save-exact flags if you want that exact version specified in your package.json dependencies.

The install command is documented here: https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/install

If you're not sure what versions of a package are available, you can use:

npm view <package> versions

And npm view can be used for viewing other things about a package too. https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/view

Answer 5

In my opinion that is easiest and fastest way:

$ npm -v

4.2.0

$ npm install -g npm@latest-3

...

$ npm -v

3.10.10

Answer 6

First remove old version, then run literally the following:

npm install express@3.X

and for stable or recent

npm install -g npm@latest    // For the last stable version
npm install -g npm@next      // For the most recent release