Node.js version

It’s crucial to use the correct Node.js version for our project, otherwise, we may encounter issues with unit tests or application deployment.

First, we check the Node.js version in use by running: ng serve.

This command will display the versions of Angular, Node.js, OS, and npm. If Node.js is not the correct version, it will show (Unsupported) next to it.

By visiting the Angular website, we can view the compatibility between Node.js and different Angular versions. To switch versions, we can either use the Node.js version manager or the command line.

a) Via the Command Line:
First, uninstall the current version of Node.js. Then, go to the official Node.js website, find previous versions, and install the compatible one. Click on "Released" and download the version for your OS.

b) Via Node Version Manager (nvm):
Every programming language has its own version manager. For Node.js, we use NVM (Node Version Manager), which allows us to work with multiple versions of Node.js in the same environment. This is useful for testing our development in different Node.js versions, a best practice recommended by both npm and Microsoft.

With NVM, you can easily manage multiple Node.js versions on the same system, allowing you to test different environments without hassle.

Before installing NVM, make sure there’s no previous version of Node.js installed on your system to avoid conflicts: node -v.

Installing NVM: For macOS and Linux, visit the official NVM repository on GitHub (nvm-sh/nvm). For Windows, download from this link: NVM repository for Windows.

Click on "Download Now," download the nvm-setup.zip file, unzip it, and run the installer. During installation, keep all default options since NVM includes an update tool that makes version management easy.

Verify the installation by running: nvm.

NVM:
NVM allows you to install specific Node.js versions or the latest one.

To install the latest recommended version (LTS): nvm install lts. To install a different version: nvm install version.
To view the installed Node.js versions on your system: nvm list.

Use a specific Node.js version: Open a terminal with administrator privileges and select the desired Node.js version:
nvm use 16.13.1 (Replace 16.13.1 with your desired version).

To verify the active Node.js version: node -v. You can also check the current version in use with: nvm current.

If you want to uninstall a specific Node.js version, open the terminal with administrator privileges: nvm uninstall 16.13.1
(Replace 16.13.1 with your desired version).

Installing NPM and Yarn:
When you install Node.js using NVM, npm is automatically installed. To verify the npm version: npm -v.

If you prefer using Yarn, install it for each version of Node.js you use: npm install -g yarn.

— Notes based on the Angular course by EfisioDev —