In this article, we will explore how to upgrade NPM (Node Package Manager) on Ubuntu 18.04. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions and cover several methods to ensure you can successfully upgrade NPM on your system.
To upgrade NPM on Ubuntu 18.04, you can use the npm install command with the -g flag to install the latest version. Additionally, you can clear the Bash cache to ensure the updated version is recognized. Another option is to create a symlink to the global installation of NPM. Alternatively, you can use NVM (Node Version Manager) to have better control over the installed NPM version.
Overview
NPM is the default package manager for Node.js, an open-source, cross-platform JavaScript runtime environment. It is a crucial tool for developers working with Node.js as it allows them to share and control modules (or packages) of JavaScript code written by others.
Ubuntu 18.04, like other Linux distributions, comes with a specific version of NPM in its default repositories. However, this version may not always be the latest. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to upgrade NPM to ensure you’re using the most recent features and security updates.
Method 1: Using NPM Command
The simplest way to upgrade NPM is to use the npm install command. Here’s how you can do it:
sudo npm install -g npm@latestIn this command, sudo is used to run the command with root privileges. npm install is the command to install a package, -g means to install the package globally, and npm@latest specifies that you want to install the latest version of NPM.
After running this command, you can check the installed version of NPM using:
npm -vHowever, even after updating, this command may still show the old version. This issue occurs because Bash caches the path of the NPM command.
Clearing the Bash Cache
To fix this, you can clear the Bash cache using the following command:
hash -d npmThis command removes the cached path and allows Bash to find the updated version of NPM.
Method 2: Creating a Symlink
Another solution is to create a symlink to the global installation of NPM. You can do this by running:
ln -s /usr/local/bin/npm /usr/bin/npmThis command creates a symlink from the global installation path (/usr/local/bin/npm) to the expected location of NPM (/usr/bin/npm).
Method 3: Using NVM (Node Version Manager)
For better control over the installed NPM version, you can use NVM. NVM allows you to easily switch between different versions of Node.js and NPM.
To install NVM, follow the instructions on the GitHub page. Once installed, you can use the following command to install the latest version of NPM:
nvm install nodeConclusion
In this article, we covered three methods to upgrade NPM on Ubuntu 18.04: using the npm install command, creating a symlink to the global installation of NPM, and using NVM. Each method has its advantages, and you can choose the one that best fits your needs. By keeping your NPM up-to-date, you can ensure that you’re using the latest features and security updates.
Upgrading NPM on Ubuntu 18.04 ensures that you have access to the latest features and security updates. It allows you to take advantage of improvements and bug fixes in the package manager, making your development process smoother and more reliable.
No, upgrading NPM typically requires root privileges as it involves making changes to system-wide installations. Using the sudo command before the upgrade command (npm install -g npm@latest) allows you to run the command with the necessary permissions.
You can check the installed version of NPM by running the command npm -v in your terminal. This will display the version number of NPM installed on your Ubuntu 18.04 system.
If the npm -v command still shows the old version after upgrading, you can clear the Bash cache by running the command hash -d npm. This will remove the cached path and allow Bash to find the updated version of NPM.
NVM stands for Node Version Manager. It is a tool that allows you to easily switch between different versions of Node.js and NPM on your system. Using NVM provides better control over the installed versions and allows you to switch between them based on your project requirements. It can be particularly useful when you need to work with multiple projects that require different versions of Node.js and NPM.
