Setting Up a Node.js Application on Your VPS

Overview

Node.js is a powerful JavaScript runtime built on Chrome'sV8 JavaScript engine. It's used for developing server-side and networkingapplications. This guide will show you how to set up a Node.js application onyour Virtual Private Server (VPS) with HSJ.HOST, enabling you to run JavaScripton the server side efficiently.

Prerequisites

• A VPS account with HSJ.HOST.
• SSH access to your server.
• Basic knowledge of the Linux command line and JavaScript.

Procedure

1. Access Your VPS via SSH

• Open a terminal or command prompt.
• Connect to your server using the command ssh user@your_vps_ip, replacing user with your actual username and your_vps_ip with the IP address of your VPS.
     
     

2. Install Node.js

• Update your package list with sudo apt update.
• Install Node.js. You can install the version that comes with your distribution's package manager or use a Node version manager (nvm) for more flexibility:

 
• To install Node.js directly:
       
       

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sudo apt install nodejs

 
• To install nvm, follow the instructions on the nvm GitHub page. This allows you to install any version of Node.js.
       
       

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curl -o-https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash nvminstall node # Install the latest version of Node.js

3. Install npm

• npm (Node Package Manager) is typically installed with Node.js, but if you need to install it separately:
     
     

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sudo apt install npm

4. Create Your Node.js Application

• Navigate to the directory where you want to create your app, or create a new directory:
     
     

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mkdir my_node_app && cd my_node_app

• Initialise a new Node.js application:

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npm init -y

• This command creates a package.json file with default values. Edit this file to suit your application's requirements.
     
     

5. Install Express Framework (Optional)

• Express is a minimal and flexible Node.js web application framework that provides a robust set of features to develop web and mobile applications. To install Express:
     
     

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npm install express --save

• Create an index.js file in your application directory:
     
     

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touch index.js

• Open index.js and write a simple Express server:
     
     

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const express = require('express'); const app = express();const port = 3000; app.get('/', (req, res) => res.send('Hello World!'));app.listen(port, () => console.log(`Example app listening athttp://localhost:${port}`));

6. Run Your Node.js Application

• Start your application with Node.js:

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node index.js

• Your app will now be running on the specified port, and you can access it via your web browser by navigating to http://your_vps_ip:3000.

Conclusion

You have successfully set up a Node.js application on yourVPS with HSJ.HOST. This setup forms the basis for developing powerfulserver-side applications in JavaScript. As you become more familiar withNode.js and its ecosystem, you can explore more complex setups, including usingdatabases, managing environment variables, and deploying production-readyapplications.

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