Running Node.js on a Mac is a straightforward process. Here’s a detailed guide on how to install and run Node.js on your Mac:
1. Download Node.js:
– Visit the official Node.js website at https://nodejs.org.
– Choose the LTS (Long Term Support) version, as it provides stable and reliable features.
– Click on the macOS installer button to download the installer package.
2. Install Node.js:
– Locate the downloaded installer package (usually in your Downloads folder) and double-click on it.
– Follow the installation wizard instructions.
– Accept the license agreement and choose the installation location.
– Click on the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
– Enter your administrator password when prompted.
– Wait for the installation to complete, and then click on the “Close” button.
3. Verify the installation:
– Open the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder, or you can use Spotlight search to find it quickly.
– Type the following command and press Enter:
“`
Node -v
“`
– If Node.js is installed correctly, you will see the version number printed in the Terminal. For example, it might display something like “v14.17.0”. If you see a version number, congratulations! You have successfully installed Node.js.
4. Create a Node.js file:
– Open a text editor or an integrated development environment (IDE) of your choice.
– Create a new file and give it a meaningful name, like “myNodeApp.js”.
– Write your Node.js code inside the file. For example, you can start with a simple “Hello, World!” program:
“`javascript
Console.log(“Hello, World!”);
“`
5. Run the Node.js file:
– Save the file with the “.js” extension.
– Open the Terminal and navigate to the directory where you saved the Node.js file. You can use the `cd` command to change directories. For example, if your file is saved on the desktop, you can navigate to it by typing:
“`
Cd ~/Desktop
“`
– Once you are in the correct directory, run the following command to execute the Node.js file:
“`
Node myNodeApp.js
“`
– If everything is set up correctly, you should see the output of your Node.js program in the Terminal. In this case, it will print “Hello, World!”.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Node.js on your Mac and executed a simple Node.js program. You can now explore the vast possibilities of Node.js and build powerful applications.