Install specific version of NodeJS

[gpstmp]

I need NodeJS v4.2.3 and i'm using this instructions https://github.com/nodesource/distributions#installation-instructions. Everything is ok but i got 4.0.0 version and cannot find a way to install 4.2.3 (or any other 4.x version).
I have tried to specify version but with no success:

apt-get install nodejs=4.2.3
apt-get install nodejs=4.2.3-1nodesource1~trusty1

apt-cache madison nodejs command gives me this:

nodejs | 4.4.0-1nodesource1~trusty1 | https://deb.nodesource.com/node_4.x/ trusty/main amd64 Packages
nodejs | 4.4.0-1nodesource1~trusty1 | https://deb.nodesource.com/node_4.x/ trusty/main Sources

Thanks for any help!

[Knighton910]

Here, I'd like you to try here. click-me 🎱

[williamkapke]

I'm not sure if you're dedicated to using apt-get or not...

But if you're looking for some flexibility in swapping versions as needed, I've had great success with https://npmjs.com/package/n.

npm install -g  n
n 4.2.3

If you do not have ANY version of node installed (therefor no NPM) you can use:
https://github.com/mklement0/n-install

curl -L http://git.io/n-install | bash

[Knighton910]

did you get this fixed? 🔨

[gpstmp]

@williamkapke i know about n or nvm BUT i want to install with apt-get. It is a kind of a strange problem for me: official guide suggest straight forward way but i cannot get required version. Also, why official guide does not suggest using n or nvm?
@lordKnighton thanks for the link, but i cannot understand how to install v4.2.3 (for example) via apt-get install from that list of packages.
Maybe i should download required deb here https://deb.nodesource.com/node_4.x/pool/main/n/nodejs/ and than use dpkg -i?

[MylesBorins]

@gpstmp if you are having problems with the nodecourse debs you might get better support posting over at https://github.com/nodesource/distributions

the nodesource debs are not officially supported by the project (although a number of employees are active contributors).

[gpstmp]

@thealphanerd thanks, will do that! It is a bit strange for me again: is that a big problem to install a specific nodejs version?

[MylesBorins]

personally I use nvm and never have problems aside from testing rc's

edit:
I personally prefer the way nvm sandboxes npm / global modules. Saner than either homebrew or apt-get (which can end up in /usr/local/)

[subfuzion]

@gpstmp, What is your particular use case here? Are you switching back and forth between different versions frequently? Are you trying to apt-get a specific version for CI builds? Or you just want to ensure you can install a specific version for a particular reason, but you can then stay on that version for a while?

I used to use nvm for switching back and forth frequently (I agree with @thealphanerd assessment), but these days I use Docker and just mount the directory:

docker run --rm -it -v $PWD:/usr/src/app node:4.2.3-onbuild node app.js

or just run container with default npm start command:

docker run --rm -it -v $PWD:/usr/src/app node:4.2.3-onbuild

If I can't mount the directory because I'm on a Mac and my node_modules directory has dependencies on C++ addons that need to be compiled for Linux (which is what the container is running), then there's a bit more work, but if you're not comfortable with Docker than this is probably getting more complicated than you really want to hear...

[gpstmp]

@subfuzion thanks for Docker example!
As for your questions:

• i am using nvm myself
• i cannot find any practical sense in https://github.com/nodesource/distributions#installation-instructions. This is why i asked this question. Maybe i am missing something, but why not just tell use nvm or n (this is what i hear from anyone).

[subfuzion]

@gpstmp NodeSource is a third party firm focused on providing enterprise-grade Node support. They contribute to the community and employ several Node core maintainers. One of the things NodeSource does is provide convenient hosting of Node packages and they hired Chris Lea who originally maintained the Node PPA (personal package archive) for Ubuntu.

However, as convenient as it is, that is not an official Node page and in any case no one is going to dictate to you to use either nvm or n since they solve the problem of switching versions of node in two very distinctly different ways. If you want to be able to switch versions of node frequently, you'll have to make the choice yourself. If you want guidance, well, I agree with @thealphanerd and happen to prefer nvm. But you really should make that choice on your own after doing some homework. Both are just convenient utilities created by separate developers to make switching between versions convenient. It is not a core feature of the node platform itself.

As far as guidance for choosing any particular node version, if you work for an enterprise where long term stability is important, then choose the latest Node v4 LTS version. Otherwise, just go with the latest v5 version.

If you don't want to use nvm or n, and you can't get the specific version you want via apt-get, then go ahead and clone the node repo, checkout the tag for the version of node you want, and build from source.

Good luck!

[subfuzion]

@gpstmp I ran apt-get policy nodejs and see that 4.4.2-1nodesource1~wily1 is the version that is available.

$ curl -sL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_4.x | sudo -E bash -
...
$ apt-cache policy nodejs
nodejs:
  Installed: (none)
  Candidate: 4.4.2-1nodesource1~wily1
  Version table:
     4.4.2-1nodesource1~wily1 0
        500 https://deb.nodesource.com/node_4.x/ wily/main amd64 Packages
     0.10.25~dfsg2-2ubuntu1 0
        500 http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ wily/universe amd64 Packages

4.4.2 is in fact the latest version of Node v4.x LTS.

I think you really ought to save a lot of trouble for yourself and just install nvm...

[gpstmp]

@subfuzion thanks again! I think the issue must be closed now.

[singhIshu-kr]

I was struggling in downgrading my node version from 11.11.1 to 11.10.1
These were the few commands I ran that helped me
If you don't have node install first install node by running

brew install node

for those who already have it installed just install package call "n" .
This n package helps you to Interactively Manage Your Node.js Versions

npm install -g  n

After installing it you just run

sudo n <node-version-you-want>
e.g sudo n 11.10.1

and your node version will get changed you can check the node version by running

node --version

I hope it will be helpful :)