Which nodejs installation should I choose?

With the popularity of Node.js, more and more people are starting to want to try using Node.js for development. However, beginners may not know where to start in choosing the right Node.js version to install. This article will introduce some common Node.js versions and general application scenarios to help readers choose the appropriate Node.js version for installation.

1. Node.js version classification

Node.js versions are divided into long-term support versions (LTS) and current versions (Current). The LTS version is characterized by stability, reliability and long-term update support, while the Current version focuses more on feature updates.

For a project, it is recommended to use the LTS version to ensure stability and the LTS version will receive longer maintenance guarantees. The LTS version also supports many npm packages. For personal projects or developers who want to try new features or use the latest technology, you can consider using the Current version.

The current LTS versions are Node.js 12 and 14, and the Current version is Node.js 15.

2. Selection of Node.js version

1. Node.js 12 LTS

If you are a Node.js developer or novice Looking for stability and reliability, Node.js 12 is a good choice. Node.js 12 has been widely used so far because of its strong support, the many npm packages and plugins it is compatible with, and the fact that it has received three years of long-term support (LTS). Therefore, many companies will use this version in production environments to ensure stable and reliable operation while also avoiding update cycle issues.

2. Node.js 14 LTS

If you want to master some of the latest technologies and features, Node.js 14 is a good choice. Node.js 14 comes with big performance improvements and support for the latest ECMAScript specifications (e.g. the "optional chaining operator" in JavaScript). Moreover, Node.js 14 also optimizes memory and CPU usage to make it run more efficiently.

If you still need to use an older version of Node.js, you need to state the required version. For example, if you need to install the Node.js 10 version, you can install it through the following command:

nvm install 10

3. Node.js 15 Current

If you want to experience the latest Node.js features, then the current version of Node.js 15 is a good choice. Can use the latest APIs and tools, as well as support the latest ECMAScript specifications. However, since this version is characterized by feature-focused updates, it does not have stability and reliability, and is generally not recommended for use in production environments.

3. Node.js version management

The method introduced above is to install the corresponding Node.js version directly on the computer. This method is not very convenient because a project depends on Node. The js version is usually very different from other projects. So it is best to use version management tools such as nvm and n in order to manage all different versions of Node.js and projects. Version management tools allow you to easily switch Node.js versions between different projects to avoid using different Node.js versions in different projects.

Among them, nvm is the most popular on Mac and Linux platforms and can be used to easily install, upgrade and manage multiple Node.js versions from the command line. Additionally, nvm can manage global and local versions. If you are using Node.js on a Windows operating system, it is recommended to use N version manager, which is also a very good choice.

4. Summary

Choosing the Node.js version and version control tool is crucial to the project. This article introduces the LTS and Current versions of Node.js, as well as version control tools such as nvm and N. Hope this helps beginners in choosing the most appropriate tool for their development work. It should be noted that when selecting the installation version, you should also pay attention to version control issues to avoid problems caused by version incompatibility and conflicts.

The above is the detailed content of Which nodejs installation should I choose?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!