Developers often need to manage multiple Node.js versions on their systems to work on different projects or ensure compatibility with specific applications. Fortunately, with the help of Node Version Manager (nvm), switching between Node.js versions in your Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Ubuntu environment is a breeze. This guide will walk you through the steps to set up Node.js version 18.17 on your WSL Ubuntu and make it the default version for your development needs.
Prerequisites:
- WSL Ubuntu installed on your Windows machine.
- Basic knowledge of the terminal and command-line interface.
Step 1: Install nvm
First, let’s install Node Version Manager (nvm), which will enable us to manage Node.js versions easily.
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.38.0/install.sh | bash
This command will download and run the nvm installation script, setting up nvm on your WSL Ubuntu.
Step 2: Activate nvm
To use nvm, you need to close and reopen your terminal session. This step ensures that nvm is loaded correctly into your shell.
Step 3: Check Available Node.js Versions
With nvm installed, you can now check the available Node.js versions:
nvm ls-remote
This will display a list of all the Node.js versions available for installation. Look for version 18.17 in the list.
Step 4: Install Node.js 18.17
Now that you know 18.17 is available, you can install it using the following command:
nvm install 18.17
This will download and install Node.js 18.17 in your WSL Ubuntu environment.
Step 5: Set Node.js 18.17 as the Default Version
To ensure that Node.js 18.17 is the default version for your development needs, set it as the default using the alias command:
nvm alias default 18.17
This will make 18.17 the default Node.js version for any new terminal sessions.
Step 6: Verify the Installation
To verify that Node.js 18.17 has been installed successfully, run:
node -v
This command will display the version number, and you should see v18.17.x in the output.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully switched your Node.js version in your WSL Ubuntu environment to 18.17 using Node Version Manager (nvm). Now you can enjoy working on your projects using the latest Node.js version without any compatibility issues. Remember that you can always switch between different Node.js versions using nvm use <version> whenever required.
Happy coding!
Tags: Command-line interface (CLI), Development tools, Node Version Manager (nvm), Node.js development, Node.js installation, Node.js tutorials, Node.js version, Programming tips, Software development, Version management, Web development, Windows Subsystem for Linux, WSL Ubuntu
