**Course Title:** Mastering Node.js: Building Scalable Web Applications **Section Title:** Introduction to Node.js and Development Environment **Topic:** Setting up a Node.js development environment (Node.js, npm, and IDEs). **Overview** --------------- In this topic, we will cover the essential steps to set up a Node.js development environment. We'll explore how to install Node.js, understand the basics of the npm package manager, and introduce popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) for Node.js development. By the end of this topic, you'll have a solid foundation for building scalable web applications using Node.js. **Installing Node.js** --------------------- To start with Node.js development, you need to install Node.js on your machine. Here are the steps to install Node.js: 1. **Download Node.js**: Visit the official Node.js website ([https://nodejs.org/en/download/](https://nodejs.org/en/download/)) and download the latest version of Node.js for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). 2. **Run the Installer**: Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the prompts to install Node.js. 3. **Verify the Installation**: After installation, open a terminal or command prompt and type `node -v` to verify that Node.js is installed correctly. This should display the version of Node.js installed on your machine. **Understanding npm** -------------------- npm (Node Package Manager) is the package manager for Node.js. It allows you to easily install, update, and manage dependencies for your Node.js projects. Here are some key concepts to understand about npm: * **npm registry**: The npm registry is a repository of packages that you can install using npm. You can search for packages on the npm website ([https://www.npmjs.com/](https://www.npmjs.com/)). * **package.json**: The package.json file is used to manage dependencies for your Node.js project. It contains metadata about your project, including its name, version, and dependencies. * **npm install**: The `npm install` command is used to install dependencies specified in the package.json file. **Example: Installing a Package with npm** Let's install the express package using npm: 1. Open a terminal or command prompt and navigate to your project directory. 2. Create a new package.json file by running `npm init`. 3. Install the express package by running `npm install express`. **Integrated Development Environments (IDEs)** -------------------------------------------- An IDE is a software application that provides a comprehensive environment for writing, debugging, and testing code. Here are some popular IDEs for Node.js development: * **Visual Studio Code (VS Code)**: A lightweight, open-source code editor developed by Microsoft. ([https://code.visualstudio.com/](https://code.visualstudio.com/)) * **IntelliJ IDEA**: A commercial IDE developed by JetBrains. ([https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/](https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/)) * **Sublime Text**: A popular, feature-rich text editor. ([https://www.sublimetext.com/](https://www.sublimetext.com/)) **Example: Setting up a New Node.js Project in VS Code** 1. Install VS Code from the official website. 2. Create a new folder for your project and open it in VS Code. 3. Install the Node.js extension for VS Code by clicking on the Extensions icon in the left sidebar and searching for "Node.js". 4. Create a new file called `app.js` and add some Node.js code. 5. Run the code by clicking on the "Run" button or pressing F5. **Key Takeaways** ----------------- * Install Node.js from the official website. * Understand the basics of npm, including installing packages and managing dependencies. * Familiarize yourself with popular IDEs for Node.js development. **What's Next?** -------------- In the next topic, we'll cover the event-driven architecture and non-blocking I/O in Node.js. You'll learn how to write efficient and scalable code using Node.js. **Do you have any questions about setting up a Node.js development environment? Leave a comment below or ask for help.