How to Install Node JS on Windows 10/11

Need to install Node.js in Windows 10 or 11 in order to write Angular, React or other JavaScript based web applications or backend APIs. This quick tutorial on how to install NodeJS on Windows will get you there.

Node.js is a runtime environment that allows JavaScript to be executed outside of a web browser, enabling developers to build server-side applications using JavaScript. Traditionally, JavaScript was confined to the browser, handling front-end interactivity. Node.js revolutionized this by extending its capabilities to the server, making it possible to create scalable and efficient back-end applications.

To install Node.js, you simply need to download an installer from its official website that matches your operating system (e.g., Windows, macOS, or Linux). After installation, Node.js comes bundled with npm (Node Package Manager), an essential tool for managing JavaScript libraries and packages. This makes setting up and running JavaScript projects, such as React applications, far easier.

Why Node.js is Popular
Node.js excels in situations requiring non-blocking, event-driven servers. It's particularly suitable for handling real-time applications such as chat services, APIs, and streaming services, where scalability and speed are paramount. Its asynchronous nature allows multiple processes to be handled simultaneously without halting the system for input/output tasks.

Additionally, Node.js is well-suited for microservices architectures and is popular in full-stack development due to its ability to unify front-end and back-end programming languages, streamlining the development process.

npm vs. npx: What’s the Difference?
npm, which stands for Node Package Manager, is a tool used for installing JavaScript libraries and managing dependencies in Node.js projects. It allows developers to install both local and global packages, making it easy to add external code (such as libraries) to your project without manually downloading them.

npx, on the other hand, is an execution tool that comes with npm and is designed to run packages without needing to install them globally. This is particularly helpful when you only need to use a package temporarily or for a one-time command. While npm helps manage and install dependencies, npx is more about running those packages directly. For instance, if you wanted to use a command-line utility that you won’t need in the long term, npx can execute it without cluttering your global installations.

How Node.js Works with React
React is a front-end JavaScript library used for building user interfaces, and it often works alongside Node.js. While React can be used independently, Node.js helps streamline the development process, especially in modern web applications. Node.js serves as a base for React developers because of its ability to manage React’s development tools and build environments effectively.

One of the primary roles of Node.js in React development is its integration with npm or npx. npm simplifies the management of the various dependencies that a React project requires, such as build tools, testing utilities, and libraries. React projects often rely on multiple third-party libraries, and npm allows developers to install and manage these easily. npx, in particular, is frequently used to quickly scaffold React applications without needing to globally install React-related packages, like the React app starter templates.