Guide to Installing Node.js Version 8 on Alpine Linux

Introduction to Node.js on Alpine Linux

Node.js is a highly flexible and powerful JavaScript runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript code on the server. Alpine Linux is a lightweight Linux distribution often used in container environments and by developers seeking a minimal base system. This guide will help you install Node.js version 8 on your Alpine Linux system using the package manager and Node Version Manager (nvm).

Installing Node.js Using the Package Manager

Alpine Linux provides a straightforward method for installing Node.js through its package manager, apk. However, since Node.js version 8 is an older version, it might not be available in the official repositories.

Steps to Install Node.js Using apk

Update the package index to make sure you have the latest package information: apk update Install the latest available version of Node.js: apk add nodejs

Installing Node.js Version 8 Using Node Version Manager (nvm)

If you specifically need Node.js version 8, you can use nvm, a Node Version Manager.

Prerequisites

To use nvm, you need to have bash and cURL installed on your system.

apk add bash curl

Steps to Install Node.js 8 Using nvm

Load nvm: source $NVM_ Install Node.js version 8: nvm install 8 Verify the installation: node -v npm -v

Advanced Usage of nvm

Using nvm offers you more flexibility in managing Node.js versions. Here are some additional commands you can use:

To use Node.js just once: nvm use node To set the latest version of Node.js as your default: nvm alias default node

Conclusion

Alpine Linux provides a straightforward way to install the latest version of Node.js through apk. For specific version requirements, nvm is the best tool to manage multiple Node.js versions. Always verify your installation to ensure that everything is set up correctly.

Encounter any issues? Don't hesitate to reach out!