Upgrading Node.js to Latest Version – Here’s a Step-by-Step Guideline to update to the Node.js V 14

Change is inevitable, and in the tech world, it is highly recommended. We must keep ourselves and our digital platforms up-to-date to keep our competitors at bay and our end-users closer. In this post, we bring towards you everything that you need to know about the latest Node.js version 14 release: all about the new features included and how you can update your Node.js application to the upgraded version.

Upgrading to the latest Node.js V 14 shall aid your application’s improved performance, and you shall gain new users.

What’s New in Node.js 14?

Take a look at the distinguishing features of Node.js with the latest version 14 release.

✪ Stable Diagnostic Report

The Diagnostic report that was an experiment in the Node.js version 12, comes as a stable release in V14. With the help of this diagnostic report, you can generate a report on-demand as a specific event takes place.

Developers can easily enable diagnostic reports by adding a command-line option.

✪ Javascript Engine upgraded to V8 8.1

The exciting part is the fun with naming conventions; it is the 8th version of Node version 8, so it’s Node.js V8 8.1 update. The newly added features of this Javascript version includes optional chaining, nullish coalescing, display of names, numbering system, calendar, and date & time format.

✪ Experimental Async Local Storage API

The continuation of local storage started as an experiment in the previous versions and is now proven to be a crucial use case of the Async Hooks in version 14 of Node.js. Though it was backported in the last version 13.10, Async Local Storage is now available for you in the form of an API.

✪ Streams

In the current version of Node, the Streams API has undergone consistent changes so that developers can overcome the complex behavior and experience a rich streaming functionality. If your Node.js application relies majorly on streams, we recommend you test your app with the latest Node version 14 update.

✪ Web Assembly System Interface

Node 14.x release supports an experimental initiative for Web Assembly System Interface WASI, which can drastically simplify the experience of native modules. Developers and end-users get cross-platform support and improved performance with this trial feature.

✪ Removal of Experimental Modules Warning

In the Node.js 13 release, you would get an unlikely warning message when you use Ecma Script Module ESM, which is now eradicated in the V14 update. Yes, it is experimental and may not be backward compatible, making it cautious about using in production environments.

✪ New Compiler and platform minimums

With every new release of Node.js, there are specific pre-built binaries and minimum toolchains for various platforms. WIth Node.js V14, we have minimum macOS 10.13 High Sierra, Linux GCC 6, and Windows with End-of-Life distributions.

How to Upgrade Node Version 14?

We have compiled a step-by-step process for upgrading your NodeJS application version to V14 for both

(i). Linux System

(ii). Windows and macOS systems

Update NodeJS on Linux Systems

There are 3 variants answers for you question how to update Node JS version on the Linux system: via Node Version Manager NVM, with Node Package Manager NPM, and using Binary Packages. Let us check out each option, and you may use whichever way you may like.

A. Update your Node app using Node Version Manager NVM

You can manage multiple versions of Node.js using NVM, and it is ideally the most suitable way to update your Node.js application. Here is a step-by-step explanation of how you can upgrade your Node.js project on Linux using NVM:

1) Use the following command to update the package repository,

2) You need to download the dependencies by using this command.

3) Use the curl command to install Nodejs Version Manager NVM.

4) The next step is to close and then reopen the terminal.

5) Just check if you have installed NVM appropriately,

6) Check the current version of usage in your system,

7) Next, you can check which new releases are available with nvm ls,

8) Finally, you should choose the latest version 14 with the nvm install command.

B. Upgrade your Node application with Node Package Manager NPM

An alternative method of updating your Node.js application is by using the official Node Package Manager NPM. Developers can install nodejs and manage dependencies in this method.

As your system incorporates Node, you are aware of NPM along with it. So, you can interact and manage with the Node version using the n module. Find out the chronological method here:

1) First of all, you need to clear your npm cache

2) Next, you need to install the Node’s version manager n

3) As you have the n module installed, you can install the latest stable version using n stable, latest release using n latest and install nodejs a specific Node version using n [version.number].

C. Use Binary Packages to update your Node Application

The last option and the least preferable one is to update your Node.js using the binary packages.

1) Reach the official Node download page, where you will find all the packages available. Over here, you can get the source code or the LTS version installer.

2) So download it from your browser or use the wget command:

3) Extract the binary package using the install nodejs xz-utils

4) Use the following command to extract and install the package.

tar -C /usr/local –strip-components 1 -xJf node-v14.5.0-linux-x64.tar.xz

Upgrading Node.js to Latest Version on macOS and Windows System

If you are using Windows or macOS systems, implementing an update NodeJS application works on the same principles. Let us find out the two ways you can upgrade to Node.js V14: Installer and NPM.

A. Update NodeJS app on Windows and macOS using Installer

The first way of updating your Node to V14 is by using the Installer. As you go on the official download page of Node.js, you get to download the latest Node version, which replaces and overwrites your older version.

1) Go on the website → Download section, and click on the LTS latest stable version or the current latest features.

2) Depending on your system, click on the macOS directory or Windows. Your system will download the package in the specific directory.

3) You can run the installer, as the download is executed.

4) Next, you will get to see the Wizard that will help you through your installation.

5) You just need to accept the terms & conditions and press next.

6) You will have to select the directory where you want to install NodeJS the Node update.

7) You can customize the features that you get along with the updated version by clicking on the icon tree.

8) And you are ready with the installation steps. Just be patient until the process completes, and then you may click the Finish button.

9) You can check whether the latest version is updated on your system or not with this command:

However, the above manner or updating the Node version may turn up by storing two different Node versions on your system, which is confusing. So, in that case, you should upgrade using the Node Package Manager NPM.

B. Update NodeJS using Node Package Manager NPM on Windows & macOS

You’re going to use the n model with npm command to update the Node.js version on your Windows or macOS.

1) Primarily check the current Node version in your system.

2) The second thing you need to do is to clear the npm cache.

3) Then you need to install n globally:

4) Next, install NodeJS the latest stable version of release.

Also, you can alternatively install the latest features of Node.js.

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Conclusion

The reason for using an open-source technology framework is that with the community support, you can always stand an updated and upgraded version of your project development software. One such example is the Node.js platform, where either you can work on the LTS (long-term supported version) or the latest version with all the new features. As Bacancy Technology is a leading Node.js development company, we assure you that our agile node developer and project managers will get your targets with a performant Node.js application.