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Setup for Node.js classes

This is the setup document for Speeding Planet's Node.js course.

Courses can be conducted on Windows 8 or later, MacOS X Mojave (10.18) or later, and Linux (most modern versions). We recommend running any course on a computer with a modern processor, 8GB+ of RAM and at least 250GB of disk space.

Some software for this course may require Administrator/root access to install.

Courses are not intended to run on a tablet, such as an Apple iPad or a Windows Surface or similar.

Quick Checklist

Use this as a checklist to make sure your install is correct. Details follow below the checklist:

Node.js setup

The class runs on the long-term support (LTS) version of Node.js, currently Node v24. You can download and install Node.js from https://nodejs.org/en/download.

Once you have installed Node.js, test that it works at a command prompt. Open a terminal window/command prompt/Powershell window and enter the following:

node -v

It should report back the current version of Node.

While you are there, also run this command:

npm -v

Which will check that npm, the Node Package Manager, is installed. As above, it should report back the current version of npm (v11 as of this writing).

What if I need an older version of Node?

There are two possible solutions. The best solution is to use a Node version manager. Which one to use depends on your operating system:

  • Windows, without/not using Windows Subsystem for Linux: use nvm for Windows
  • MacOS, Linux, Windows Subsystem for Linux: use nvm

Source control using Git

We will be using Git for source control in class. You can install a basic version from the homepage, or use a graphic client if you prefer.

Please use Git version 2.25 or later.

Your instructor should provide you with a URL for a repository. Please test whether you can pull from the repository before class.

Web browser

  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Edge
  • Other browsers (Internet Explorer, Safari, Brave, Opera, etc.) may work in class but are not supported and may lack critical features

Editor / IDE

  • Visual Studio Code is strongly preferred, but others are available
  • WebStorm or IntelliJ, also by JetBrains
  • SublimeText, Emacs, or vi/vim: if you like configuring your editor yourself
  • Notepad++, TextMate, etc.: if you can't install any of the above
  • The following editors are unacceptable:
    • Eclipse is not a viable choice. JavaScript support on Eclipse is a disaster.
    • Notepad is not a viable choice. It does not have enough features for you to be a productive developer

What about using artificial intelligence (AI)?

Please read A Note On AI.

Project setup

  1. Using Git, download the class repository from the URL proivded by your instructor.
  2. Open up a command prompt in the repository directory
  3. Run npm install. There should be no errors, though there may be some audit warnings.
  4. Run npm test. All tests should pass.
  5. If your editor or IDE supports projects, open the repository directory as a project.

Questions?

Please contact your instructor!