Node.js is one of the most popular JavaScript runtime environment platforms, allowing developers to build server-side applications using JavaScript. Like any software, keeping your Node version up to date is, in my experience, critical for optimal security and performance. This post will show you how to update Node.js on Mac, Windows, and Linux. We'll also give some tips to make the process as smooth as possible. But first, we’ll cover why updating Node is so essential. If you’re new to Node.js, I recommend brushing up on JavaScript first — check out our free intro guide to JavaScript, and then come back here. Learn the basics of one of the world's most popular programming languages. This guide covers: All fields are required. Click this link to access this resource at any time. Download Now Node.js is an open-source platform. New features, bug fixes, and security updates are released regularly. Newer versions of Node.js will have: Keeping your Node up to date ensures your code runs with the latest security and bug fixes and gets access to the latest features. If you don't keep your Node updated, it could lead to security vulnerabilities and other issues. Even if your code is impeccable, any third-party code integrated into your work — directly or indirectly — can have its own security faults. We know it’s important to update Node, so how do you actually update it? Let's look at updating Node on Mac, Windows, and Linux. There are a few ways to update Node on Mac and Windows. We'll talk about using npm or manually downloading the latest version and installing it yourself. You may already have Node Package Manager (npm) installed on your device. (If not, follow this guide to install npm.) Here’s how to update Node using npm: You can also run this command to check if any installed packages are outdated. If there are any, it will list them: npm outdated You can also manually download the latest Node version from the official website. Once you’ve downloaded the package, follow the instructions to install the package. From there, you should be able to run the command node -v to verify that the latest stable version of Node is installed. I’ve found that, while this method works, it’s typically more convenient to have npm installed on your device already (for a myriad of other reasons besides updating Node) so you can update by entering a couple of commands into the terminal. The process of updating Node on Linux is a bit different from how it‘s done on Windows and Mac. You’ll need to use a package manager such as nvm or APT. nvm (Node Version Manager) is a tool that allows you to manage multiple versions of Node on your system. You can use nvm to install, update, and switch between different versions of Node. To update your version of Node using nvm, do the following: apt (Advanced Package Tool) is a package manager for Debian-based Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and Debian. To update Node using apt, do the following: These are just a few ways to update Node on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Keep in mind that it's important to keep current with the latest version of Node not only for security reasons but also to get access to new features and bug fixes. There’s no built-in way to notify you when new Node versions are released. So, keep an eye on the Node release notes for new updates or software changes. Here are some ways to stay in the know about these: I recommend setting regular reminders to check for Node releases, even small ones, and update when appropriate. In cases of minor updates, updating your version immediately isn’t always necessary. However, for major releases and significant security patches, you’ll thank yourself that you’re on top of updates and reducing your app’s vulnerability. Many developers would recommend using a node version manager (nvm), which lets you switch between node versions quickly. As WordPress developer Ahsan Ijtiba shares, “To maintain and update a Node.js app in web development, using a version manager like Node Version Manager (nvm) or fnm is highly recommended. These tools allow you to install multiple versions of Node.js and switch between them as needed, ensuring that you can work with different versions without conflicts.” Node.js is a foundational component of any application that uses it — it’s like changing the engine on your car — so any compatibility issue with your application has the potential to break things. The Node.js blog publishes posts for each new release that detail improvements. Review this documentation before installing new package versions to learn about any deprecated features or possible breaking changes that might affect your application. Test new features or bug fixes in a development environment and test suite before deploying them to production. It isn’t a given that your program will always work as intended post-update, so this helps to ensure that everything functions properly before making any changes live. Often called a “canary release” (alluding to the phrase “canary in a coal mine”), the practice of gradually releasing software to a small subset of users before introducing it to the entire user base is a common method to mitigate risk. If an application malfunction occurs as a result of a Node.js update, this practice contains the damage and gives you time to address the issue before a wider rollout. Even after a gradual rollout, continue to monitor your application’s performance for unexpected behavior using Application Performance Monitoring tools, staying aware of any negative user feedback, and monitoring your application for unusual website metrics (e.g., lower-than-usual signup rates on a membership-based application) — all of these could signal a problem tying back to a Node update. You may want to consult other developers for feedback on Node.js releases through GitHub or forums. Others have likely identified potential issues before you have, and can advise whether or not updating Node is ideal at the current moment. From its easy-to-use environment, modern features, and constant updates, Node is a popular choice for developing applications. Keeping your version of Node updated is important to get the best performance, security, and features out of it. With multiple options available such as Mac, Windows, and Linux, updating Node is accessible and can be done quickly with a few steps. An Introduction to JavaScript
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Why is it important to keep Node up-to-date?
Why update the Node version, if a project already runs smoothly?
How to Update Node on Mac and Windows
Using npm
node -v
npm cache clean --force
This reduces the chance of any problems occurring during the update.
npm install -g n
This command will install n, which is npm’s Node version manager that you can use to update Node easily.
n latest
This will install the latest version of Node on your system.
node -vManual download
How to Update Node Versions on Linux
Using nvm
nvm --version
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.35.3/install.sh | bash
node -v
nvm install node --reinstall-packages-from=node
node -vUsing apt:
node -v
sudo apt-get install nodejs
node -vTips to Upgrade Node.js to the Latest Version
Stay updated on Node releases.
Plan to update regularly.
Use a node version manager.
Review the changelog before updating.
Test new releases.
Deploy the update gradually.
Monitor the update rollout.
Check the community.
Keeping Node Updated
Topics: Javascript