Alternative Methods to Set Default Node.js Version

Setting the Default Node.js Version with NVM

Example Code:

# Install NVM (if not already installed)
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.2/install.sh | bash

# List available Node.js versions
nvm ls-remote

# Install a specific version (e.g., 18.12.0)
nvm install 18.12.0

# Set the installed version as default
nvm use 18.12.0

# Verify the current default version
nvm current

Explanation:

1. Installation:
2. List Versions:
3. Installation:
4. Setting Default:
5. Verification:

Additional Notes:

• You can replace 18.12.0 with any desired Node.js version.
• To switch between versions later, simply use nvm use <version>.

Example for Setting a Default Alias:

# Set a default alias for a specific version
nvm alias default 18.12.0

# Now, whenever you type `node` or `npm`, the default version will be used.

Alternative Methods to Set Default Node.js Version

While NVM (Node Version Manager) is a popular and effective method, there are other options available to manage Node.js versions on your system:

Using Node Package Manager (npm) with n:

• Install n: Use npm to install the n package:

  npm install -g n
  

• List Available Versions:

  n ls
  

• Install Desired Version:

  n <version>
  

• Set as Default:

  n use <version>
  

Using Homebrew (macOS):

• Install Node.js:

  brew install node
  

• Switch Versions: Use Homebrew's link command to switch between installed Node.js versions.

Using Package Managers on Linux Distributions:

• Use the package manager: Most Linux distributions have package managers like apt, yum, or dnf. Use the appropriate commands to install and manage Node.js versions.

Manual Installation and Environment Variables:

• Download Node.js: Download the desired Node.js version from the official website.
• Extract and Install: Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.
• Set Environment Variables: Modify your .bashrc or equivalent shell configuration file to set the PATH environment variable pointing to the Node.js installation directory.

Choosing the Right Method:

• NVM: Recommended for developers who need to manage multiple Node.js versions frequently.
• npm with n: A simpler alternative to NVM, but might not be as flexible for complex scenarios.
• Homebrew or Package Managers: Suitable for users who prefer to manage all their software through these tools.
• Manual Installation: A basic option for users who only need one Node.js version and are comfortable with manual configuration.