Install Node.js on CentOS 7

Node.js has gained immense popularity within the web development community owing to its efficiency and scalability. Its utilization enables developers to construct swift and dependable server-side applications by employing JavaScript, a language already familiar to many developers. The objective of this post is to provide a comprehensive guide on installing Node.js on CentOS 7, an extensively utilized and stable operating system.

Renowned for its reliability, robust security features, and long-term support, CentOS 7 is a Linux distribution that furnishes a robust environment for hosting web applications and services. By harnessing the power of Node.js in conjunction with the stability of CentOS 7, you can effortlessly create high-performance web applications that effectively cater to the demands of modern web development.

What Is Node.Js?

Node.js is an impressive runtime environment that enables developers to execute JavaScript code on the server-side, expanding its usage beyond web browsers. It leverages the V8 JavaScript engine, which is renowned for powering Google Chrome, and introduces an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model that enhances its efficiency and scalability for handling concurrent connections and real-time applications.

Traditionally, JavaScript was confined to client-side scripting in web browsers. However, the advent of Node.js revolutionized web development by allowing JavaScript to be utilized for server-side tasks as well. This breakthrough enables developers to employ a unified language, JavaScript, for both front-end and back-end development, simplifying the development process and promoting code reusability.

Benefits of Node.js

Node.js has garnered immense popularity within the web development community due to its array of advantages. Some notable features and benefits of Node.js include:

• High Performance: Node.js adopts an event-driven, non-blocking architecture that renders it lightweight and capable of efficiently handling a large number of concurrent connections.
• Scalability: The event-driven architecture of Node.js facilitates easy scalability, making it suitable for developing real-time applications, chat servers, streaming applications, and other highly scalable systems.
• Rapid Development: Node.js offers a vast ecosystem of modules and libraries, accelerating development and streamlining the process. Moreover, its alignment with JavaScript, a language familiar to many developers, contributes to increased productivity.
• NPM (Node Package Manager): Node.js comes equipped with NPM, a robust package manager that simplifies the integration and management of third-party libraries and modules in projects.
• Thriving Community and Ecosystem: Node.js boasts a vibrant and active community of developers who contribute to its ecosystem by creating and maintaining a wide range of modules, frameworks, and tools.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Node.js is cross-platform, ensuring compatibility with various operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. This flexibility facilitates seamless deployment across different environments.

Installing Node.js

When it comes to installing Node.js on CentOS 7, there are three commonly used methods: utilizing the NodeSource repository, leveraging the EPEL repository, or building from source. Each approach has its advantages, so you can choose the one that aligns with your specific requirements. Let’s explore each method and provide you with the corresponding instructions.

NodeSource Repository:

Add the NodeSource repository by running the following commands:

curl -fsSL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_lts.x | sudo bash –

Install Node.js and npm with the following command:

sudo yum install -y nodejs

EPEL Repository:

• Ensure the EPEL repository is enabled on your CentOS 7 system. If it’s not enabled, execute the command:

sudo yum install epel-release

• Install Node.js and npm by running:

sudo yum install -y nodejs

Build from Source:

• Start by installing the necessary development tools and libraries:

sudo yum install -y gcc-c++ make

• Visit the official Node.js website (https://nodejs.org) and navigate to the Downloads section to find the latest version of Node.js.
• Download the source code package for the desired version. For example:

wget https://nodejs.org/dist/v14.17.0/node-v14.17.0.tar.gz

• Extract the downloaded package:

tar -xzvf node-v14.17.0.tar.gz

• Navigate to the extracted directory:

cd node-v14.17.0

• Configure, compile, and install Node.js:

./configure

make

sudo make install

Once you have chosen the installation method and followed the corresponding instructions, you should have Node.js successfully installed on your CentOS 7 system.

Verifying the Installation

After installing Node.js on CentOS 7, it is important to verify that the installation was successful and ensure that Node.js and npm are functioning correctly. Follow the steps below to verify the installation:

Checking Node.js version:

• Open a terminal or SSH into your CentOS 7 server.
• Run the following command to check the installed version of Node.js:

node –version

• The output should display the version number of Node.js installed on your system. For example, it may show “v14.17.0”.

Testing Node.js Functionality:

• Create a simple JavaScript file, such as “test.js”, using a text editor:

nano test.js

• In the file, add the following code:

console.log(“Node.js is working!”);

• Save the file and exit the text editor.
• Run the JavaScript file using the following command:

node test.js

• If Node.js is functioning correctly, you should see the output “Node.js is working!” in the terminal.

Conclusion

To summarize, setting up Node.js on CentOS 7 is a simple procedure that can significantly improve your development capabilities. By following the steps described in this guide, you have acquired the knowledge to establish a Node.js environment on your CentOS 7 server, enabling you to utilize JavaScript’s capabilities for server-side applications. Node.js offers a reliable platform for creating scalable and efficient web applications, and when combined with CentOS 7 as the base, you can confidently make the most of its extensive potential.