How to Install JavaScript

To install and run JavaScript outside the browser, install Node.js.

JavaScript is a scripting language that runs in web browsers without needing installation. However, if you want to run JavaScript outside the browser (e.g., server-side), you’ll need Node.js, which is a runtime environment for executing JavaScript code. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up JavaScript development on your local machine.

1. Download Node.js from nodejs.org.
2. Install Node.js using the downloaded installer.
3. Verify the installation by running node -v and npm -v in your terminal.

JavaScript is commonly used for creating interactive web pages, and it runs natively in web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. For server-side programming or running JavaScript on your local machine, you need Node.js.

Installing Node.js

Node.js provides a JavaScript runtime environment for executing code outside the browser.

1. Download Node.js:
   • Visit the official Node.js website.
   • Download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
2. Install Node.js:
   • Run the downloaded installer.
   • Follow the installation prompts to complete the setup.

Windows Installation Steps:

• Double-click the .msi file to start the installer.
• Click Next in the setup wizard.
• Accept the license agreement and click Next.
• Choose the installation location and click Next.
• Select the components to install (default settings are recommended) and click Next.
• Click Install to begin the installation.

macOS Installation Steps:

• Open the downloaded .pkg file.
• Follow the prompts in the installer to complete the installation.

Linux Installation Steps:

• For Debian-based distributions (e.g., Ubuntu), open the terminal and run:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs
sudo apt-get install -y npm

Verifying the Installation

After installing Node.js, verify that it was installed correctly by checking the version numbers of Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager).

• Open a Terminal or Command Prompt.
• Check Node.js Version:

node -v

• You should see the installed version number, e.g., v16.3.0.

• Check npm Version:

npm -v

• You should see the installed version number, e.g., 7.15.1.

Writing and Running Your First JavaScript Program

1. Create a JavaScript File:

• Open your code editor (e.g., Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text).
• Create a new file and save it with a .js extension, e.g., hello.js.

2. Write Your JavaScript Code:

// hello.js
console.log("Hello, World!");

3. Run Your JavaScript File:

• Open a terminal or command prompt.
• Navigate to the directory where your JavaScript file is saved.
• Run the file using Node.js:

node hello.js

• You should see the output Hello, World! in the terminal.

Conclusion

JavaScript runs natively in web browsers, but to execute JavaScript on your local machine or for server-side applications, you need Node.js. By installing Node.js, you can write and run JavaScript programs outside of a browser, opening up new possibilities for development. Follow the steps in this guide to set up your environment and start running JavaScript code locally.