nodejs vs node on ubuntu 12.04

Question

I installed nodejs on ubuntu from instructions given here

When I write node --version in the terminal I see this :
-bash: /usr/sbin/node: No

Answer 1

Just use NVM(Node Version Manager) - https://github.com/creationix/nvm

It has become the standard for managing Node.js.

When you need a new version:

nvm install NEW_VER
nvm use XXX

If something goes wrong you can always go back with

nvm use OLD_VER

Answer 2

I am new to all this, but for me a simple alias worked:

alias node='env NODE_NO_READLINE=1 rlwrap nodejs'

at least for running things directly in bash and executing .js files.

Answer 3

Will be helpful for absolute beginners

Although, you have got the answer, just wanted to point out that the node command (without any parameters) will start node in REPL _{read-eval-print-loop} mode to execute raw javascript code.

Another way to use node command is by providing it a js file as a parameter. This is how we mostly use it.

Answer 4

It's optional to remove the existing node and nodejs, but have to do alternatively install the latest 7.x nodejs.

curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_7.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Answer 5

You need to manually create a symlink /usr/bin/node. Shortcut for bash compatible shells:

sudo ln -s `which nodejs` /usr/bin/node

Or if you use non-standard shells, just hardcode the path you find with which nodejs:

sudo ln -s /usr/bin/nodejs /usr/bin/node

Later edit

I found this explanation in the link you posted

There is a naming conflict with the node package (Amateur Packet Radio Node Program), and the nodejs binary has been renamed from node to nodejs. You'll need to symlink /usr/bin/node to /usr/bin/nodejs or you could uninstall the Amateur Packet Radio Node Program to avoid that conflict.

Later later edit

It's been a while since I answered this. Although the solution I posted up here worked for me several times, users have reported a few more solutions within the comments:

From @user229115

sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/node node /usr/bin/nodejs 10

From AskUbuntu (user leftium)

sudo apt-get --purge remove node
sudo apt-get --purge remove nodejs
sudo apt-get install nodejs

Answer 6

I have the same issue in Ubuntu 14.04.

I have installed "nodejs" and it's working, but only if I'm use command "nodejs". If I try to use "node" nothing happens.

I'm fixed this problem in next way:

1. Install nodejs-legacy

   sudo apt-get install nodejs-legacy

After that, when I type "node" in command line I'm get an error message "/usr/sbin/node: No such file or directory"

2. Second, what I did, it's a symbolic link on "nodejs":

   sudo ln -s /usr/bin/nodejs /usr/sbin/node