nodejs vs node on ubuntu 12.04

Question

I installed nodejs on ubuntu from instructions given here

When I write node --version in the terminal I see this :
-bash: /usr/sbin/node: No such file or directory

I can see node in the /usr/sbin/ directory, though.

Writing npm --version shows 1.3.5
Writing nodejs --version shows v0.10.15

Also, I can see node in the /usr/bin/ directory.

So, how do I get node working?

Also, If I use zsh instead of bash, then node command works.

Answer 1

Node Version Manager (nvm)

If you like to install multiple nodejs versions and easily switch between them, I would suggest using Node Version Manger. It also solves the naming problem (node vs nodejs)

It's quite simple:

Install a nodejs version:

$ nvm install 4.4

Now you have nodejs 4.4 in addition to the version that was already installed and you can just use the node command to reach the newly installed version:

$ node -v    // The new version added by nvm.
v4.4.5
$ nodejs -v  // The OS version is untouched and still available.
v0.10.25

You can install more nodejs versions and easily switch between them:

$ nvm install 6.2
$ nvm use 6.2
Now using node v6.2.1 (npm v3.9.3)
$ node -v
v6.2.1
$ nvm use 4.4
Now using node v4.4.5 (npm v2.15.5)

Answer 2

Will be helpful for absolute beginners

Although, you have got the answer, just wanted to point out that the node command (without any parameters) will start node in REPL _{read-eval-print-loop} mode to execute raw javascript code.

Another way to use node command is by providing it a js file as a parameter. This is how we mostly use it.

Answer 3

You can execute this command to enable nodejs:

scl enable rh-nodejs8 bash

Note: Check your node version.

Source: https://developers.redhat.com/products/softwarecollections/hello-world/

Answer 4

Just use NVM(Node Version Manager) - https://github.com/creationix/nvm

It has become the standard for managing Node.js.

When you need a new version:

nvm install NEW_VER
nvm use XXX

If something goes wrong you can always go back with

nvm use OLD_VER

Answer 5

Adding to @randunel's correct answer (can't yet comment on SO):

I also had to symlink /usr/local/bin/node to /usr/bin/nodejs as well.

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

Apparently, this was overriding the /usr/bin/ node command.

No idea how that got set, but hope it helps someone else as it was a pain to figure out why the above wasn't working for me.

Answer 6

Best way to install nodejs is through NVM (Node Version Manager)

Delete previous versions :

$ sudo apt-get purge node

$ sudo apt autoremove

Also delete all node_modules by $ sudo rm -rf node_modules in the directory containing this folder.

Node & Nodejs are technically the same thing. Just the naming changed.

First Install or update nvm

to run as root

$ sudo su 

Then

$ curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/v0.31.7/install.sh | bash

OR

$ wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/v0.31.7/install.sh | bash

Check nvm to path

$ source ~/.profile

$ nvm ls-remote

if you get error regarding the listing then install git.

$ sudo apt-get install git

Re-run :

$ nvm ls-remote

OR

$ sudo nvm ls-remote

$ nvm install version-you-require 

Checking Version

# node --version

nvm use version-you-require

INFORMATION COURTESY :

https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-node-js-with-nvm-node-version-manager-on-a-vps