While it's not currently possible to automatically switch between Node.js versions, tools like NVM (Node Version Manager) can help. If you only follow the instructions above and install a single version of Node.js on your computer, this means that if some code was written that only works with an older or newer version of Node.js: you'll run into problems. Managing Versions of Node.js with NVMĪs you progress with Node.js, you will find that different packages (like those found on NPM), different tutorials, and different courses will use different versions of Node.js.

Recommendation: if this is your first time using Node.js, install the 'LTS' version until you get comfortable with the runtime and then install the current version to get access to the current full feature set. Though the 'LTS' version is denoted as being 'Recommended for Most Users,' using the current version helps to reduce confusion when reading tutorials, completing courses, and using third-party tools based on Node.js.

This is the most recent iteration of the runtime and is ideal for projects that want to leverage the latest Node.js features, or, for developers who don't mind working around unpatched issues.ĭownloading Node.js from the Node.js website.

X.X.X Current - The latest version of the runtime.

This is considered the current 'stable' version of the runtime and is ideal for projects where maximum compatibility and stability is required.

X.X.X LTS - The current 'Long Term Support' version of the runtime.

On that page, you'll be presented with two options:

The easiest way to install Node.js is to head over to the Node.js website and download the installer for your operating system. To get started, first we'll take a look at installing Node.js the traditional way (and the difference between the versions available), and then we'll see how NVM can help us to manage different versions of Node.js. To fix this, it's best to install the NVM (Node Version Manager) command line tool to help you quickly and easily switch between Node.js versions on your computer. If you're working with a wide range of code (e.g., various projects for work, reading tutorials, or completing a course), this can cause issues when Node.js versions don't match.

By default, only one version of Node.js can be used at a time. Before you start working with Node.js, you need to have both the Node.js runtime and NPM (Node Package Manager) installed on your computer.

Install nvm on windows 10