How To Install NVM on Ubuntu 22.04

Node.js has become an indispensable tool for modern web development, thanks to its efficiency and scalability. However, managing multiple Node.js versions on a single machine can be a challenge, especially for developers working on various projects. This is where Node Version Manager (NVM) comes into play, offering a seamless way to manage multiple Node.js environments. This guide will take you through the process of installing NVM on Ubuntu 22.04, ensuring you can jump between Node.js versions with ease.

What is NVM?

NVM stands for Node Version Manager, a command-line utility that allows you to install, manage, and work with multiple Node.js versions. It provides the flexibility to switch between versions for different projects, ensuring compatibility and eliminating conflicts between Node.js environments.

Prerequisites

• You must have a running Ubuntu 22.04 Linux system with shell access.
• Log in with a user account to which you need to install node.js.

Step 1: Installing NVM on Ubuntu

A shell script is available for the installation of nvm on the Ubuntu 22.04 (Jammy Jellyfish) Linux system. Open a terminal on your system or connect a remote system using SSH. Use the following commands to install curl on your system, then run the nvm installer script.

sudo apt install curl
curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/creationix/nvm/master/install.sh | bash

The nvm installer script creates an environment entry to the login script of the current user. You can either log out and log in again to load the environment or execute the below command to do the same.

source ~/.profile

Step 2: Installing Node using NVM

You can install any number of node.js versions of your requirements using nvm. Then you can use the required version for your application from installed node.js.

• Install the latest version of node.js. Here node is the alias for the latest version.

  nvm install node
  

• To install a specific version of node: For example 20.11.0:

  nvm install 20.11.0
  

You can choose any other version to install using the above command. The very first version installed becomes the default. New shells will start with the default version of the node (e.g., nvm alias default).

Step 3: Using NVM

You can use the following command to list installed versions of the node for the current user.

nvm ls

List available node.js versions for the installation.

nvm ls-remote

You can also select a different version for the current session. The selected version will be the currently active version for the current shell only.

nvm use 20.11.0

To find the default Node version set for the current user, type:

nvm run default --version

You can run a Node script with the desired version of node.js using the below command:

nvm exec 20.11.0 server.js

Step 4: Using .nvmrc File

Using a .nvmrc file in your application specifies the Node.js version to be used, ensuring consistency across development environments. By including this file, developers can automatically switch to the correct Node.js version with nvm use command, enhancing compatibility and reducing version-related issues.

To create a .nvmrc file, simply run command in your project’s root directory:

echo "20.11.0" > .nvmrc

Replacing “20.11.0” with your desired Node.js version. This file then guides nvm to use the specified version using command:

nvm use

Conclusion

In this article, you have learned how to install NVM on Ubuntu 22.04 and use it to manage multiple Node.js versions. NVM is a powerful tool for developers who need to work with different Node.js versions for various projects. With NVM, you can easily switch between Node.js versions, install new ones, and remove the ones you no longer need. This ensures that your development environment remains clean and organized, allowing you to focus on writing and testing code. Enjoy the flexibility and ease of managing Node.js versions with NVM on your Ubuntu 22.04 system!