Install Node.js

Overview

Now that we have the host machine configured for Docker, we're going to begin building our web server. Keep in mind that this virtual machine is serving two purposes: 1) our Docker host; and, 2) our temporary web server until our image is built.

Install Node.js

Node.js is a JavaScript execution engine that allows us to write server-side JavaScript and utilize it like any other executable file. With Node.js, we will host a very simple web server.

Download and Install Node.js Runtime

The Node.js runtime is what is responsible for hosting and executing our JavaScript.

From the terminal prompt, type:

sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Download and Install NPM

NPM is an abbreviation for Node Package Manager. NPM allows us to install Node.js dependencies for our applications.

At the prompt, type:

sudo apt-get install -y npm

Create Symbolic Link

In Linux, a symbolic link is nothing more than a 'virtual pointer' to a file. It's a way to give a file an alias. For us, we going to do two things with a symbolic link. First, we're going to get nodejs an alias. Second, we're going to make the executable globally available so that it can be called from any folder.

At the prompt, enter:

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

This will create a pointer called node that points to nodejs. We can then execute Node.js via either command. However, node is the common name to use.

Verify Installation

Let's make sure our installation was successful.

At the prompt, type:

node -v
npm -v

You should receive version numbers for both commands.

Add Build Dependencies

Some Node.js libraries have outside dependencies that aren't necessarily installed in Ubuntu by default. Let's install those now.

At the terminal prompt, type:

sudo apt-get install build-essential

We've now successfully completed the installation of Node.js and the Node Package Manager.