iiab/roles/nodejs

Please see IIAB's recommended Node.js version number around line 439 of /opt/iiab/iiab/vars/default_vars.yml

If Nodesource.com doesn't yet support your OS

Nodesource.com often supports Debian long before each Debian release, whereas for other OS's, Nodesource.com support usually arrives a few days or weeks after the OS release.

For late-breaking details on Nodesource.com support for your particular Linux OS, keep an eye on:

• https://github.com/nodesource/distributions#deb
• https://deb.nodesource.com/node_20.x/dists/
  • https://deb.nodesource.com/node_20.x/pool/main/n/nodejs/
  • https://nodejs.org/dist/latest-v20.x/
• https://deb.nodesource.com/node_19.x/dists/
  • https://deb.nodesource.com/node_19.x/pool/main/n/nodejs/
  • https://nodejs.org/dist/latest-v19.x/
• ETC!

If Nodesource.com does not yet support your Linux OS and IIAB's asked to install Node.js — IIAB will then fall back to: (running the equivalent of)

sudo apt install nodejs npm
sudo echo 'nodejs_installed: True' >> /etc/iiab/iiab_state.yml

(The above installs your OS's own versions of Node.js and npm.)

Separately, if you later want to try wiping nodejs and npm (AT YOUR OWN RISK!) to attempt the Nodesource approach instead, run:

cd /opt/iiab/iiab
sudo ./runrole --reinstall nodejs

Raspberry Pi Zero W Warning

UPDATE: The Zero 2 W released 2021-10-28 is 64-bit (ARMv7) so may not have such serious problems...

On the original Raspberry Pi Zero W (ARMv6) however: Node.js applications like Internet Archive, JupyterHub, Node-RED, PBX (Asterisk/FreePBX) and Sugarizer won't work — if you installed Node.js while on Raspberry Pi 3, 3 B+ (ARMv7) or Raspberry Pi 4 (ARMv8).

If necessary, run sudo apt purge nodejs npm then sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/nodesource.list then sudo apt update and then attempt to install Node.js on the Raspberry Pi Zero W itself (cd /opt/iiab/iiab then sudo ./runrole --reinstall nodejs).

Earlier, some preferred installing the tar file version mentioned at #2082 — if that is your preference, consider a more recent version like: https://nodejs.org/dist/latest-v20.x/

Either way, you'll (likely) then also need to run: sudo apt install npm

Whatever versions of Node.js and npm you install, make sure /etc/iiab/iiab_state.yml contains the line nodejs_installed: True (add it if necessary!) Finally, proceed to install Internet Archive, JupyterHub, Node-RED (Raspberry Pi notes), PBX (Asterisk/FreePBX) and/or Sugarizer: #1799