Setting Up JavaScript Runtime on a Linux Server – Running Modern Web Applications

Discover how to install and configure Node.js, Deno, and Bun on your server for efficient JavaScript runtime management → Learn more now

10 November 20264 min read1 Views0 helpful

Introduction

This guide shows you how to install Node.js, Deno, and Bun. The commands must be executed via SSH. If you don’t know how to connect to your server via SSH, please check our First Access (SSH) guide.

Setting Up JavaScript Runtime on a Linux Server – Running Modern Web Applications

Preparation

Before installing anything on your server, you should run the update command for your operating system to keep your server secure and up to date.

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  sudo apt update

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  sudo yum update

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  sudo zypper update

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  sudo dnf update

Installation

First, you need to decide which JavaScript runtime you want to install. There are many online resources that describe each in detail. This guide also includes basic commands and code examples. We recommend Node.js as it is one of the most widely used and popular options.

Installing Node.js Runtime

You can install Node.js either via your Linux distribution’s package manager or with nvm. We recommend apt as it is usually simpler.

Run the following command to install Node.js via the package manager.

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apt install nodejs -y

To install Node.js packages for your projects, you also need the npm package manager.

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apt install npm

Updating Node.js to the Latest Version

You can check the installed Node.js version with node -v. This is usually not the latest, so you should update to get the newest features. Fortunately, the npm package n offers an easy way to do this.

First, install it with npm install -g n and then you can install any desired Node.js version with n [version] by replacing [version] with the version number.

Tip

It is recommended to always use the latest Long Term Support version. You can do this with n lts.

Installing Node.js with nvm gives you more control to manage different Node.js versions with their own packages.

First, make sure curl is installed on your system, then run this command:

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curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.7/install.sh | bash

This downloads and runs the nvm installation script from GitHub.

Info

If nvm commands don’t work after installation, reload the bash configuration with source ~/.bashrc.

As with the previous method, you can now install any Node.js version with nvm install v[version]. Use nvm list-remote to see all available versions and nvm list to see all installed versions.

Tip

Install the Long Term Support version with nvm install --lts.

Using Node.js & npm

npm is the official package manager for Node.js. It lets you install packages from the internet.

Info

You can find all npm packages on the official website.

Creating a New Project

To start a new Node.js project, first create a new directory (mkdir [project-name]) or navigate to an empty folder and run npm init to start setup. You will be asked for some basic info to create a package.json file. This file is the "config" for your Node.js project.

After initialization, create a file named index.js and write your code inside. As an example, we create a simple HTTP server on port 80 that returns a test message when accessed via localhost:

const http = require('http')

const server = http.createServer((req, res) => {
  res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' })
  res.end('Hello from ZAP-Hosting Docs =)')
})

server.listen(80)

Start the code with node . and open localhost:80 in your browser to see the result.

Tip

Install external npm packages with npm install [package-name].

Installing Deno Runtime

You can easily install Deno with:

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curl -fsSL https://deno.land/install.sh | sh

Tip

Check the installed version with deno --version.

Updating Deno to the Latest Version

Update Deno with:

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deno upgrade

Using Deno

To start Deno, create a new file index.ts and write code inside. As an example, we create a simple HTTP server on port 80 that returns a test message when accessed via localhost:

Deno.serve({ port: 80 }, (_req: Request) => {
  return new Response('Hello from ZAP-Hosting Docs =)')
})

Run the code with:

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deno run --allow-net index.ts

and open localhost:80 in your browser to see the result.

Info

Deno is designed with a focus on security and therefore requires specific permissions like --allow-net to access certain modules.

Installing Bun Runtime

Bun offers two official installation methods: via curl or npm.

Install Bun on your server with the following command:

Code

curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash

Tip

For other versions, run curl -fsSL https://bun.sh/install | bash -s "bun-v[version]".

If you already have npm installed, you can also simply run:

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npm install -g bun

Using Bun

Bun is designed to be faster than other JavaScript engines and has a similar interface to Node.js. Open an empty directory and start with:

Code

bun init

Info

Depending on the chosen language (JS or TS), Bun creates a config file (jsconfig.json or tsconfig.json).

To start Bun, create a new file index.ts and write code inside. As an example, we create a simple HTTP server on port 80 that returns a test message when accessed via localhost:

const server = Bun.serve({
  port: 80,
  fetch(req) {
    return new Response('Hello from ZAP-Hosting Docs =)')
  },
})

Run the code with:

Code

bun index.ts

and open localhost:80 in your browser to see the result.

By following this guide, you have successfully installed one of the popular JavaScript runtimes on your Linux server.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

First, update your system and install Node.js via the package manager with apt install nodejs -y and also install npm with apt install npm.

Node.js is recommended as it is one of the most widely used and popular options. This guide also covers Deno and Bun.

Use the command node -v.

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const http = require('http') const server = http.createServer((req, res) => { res.writeHead(200, { 'Content-Type': 'text/plain' }) res.end('Hello from ZAP-Hosting Docs =)') }) server.listen(80)

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Setting Up JavaScript Runtime on a Linux Server – Running Modern Web Applications

Introduction

Preparation

Installation

Installing Node.js Runtime

Updating Node.js to the Latest Version

Using Node.js & npm

Creating a New Project

Installing Deno Runtime

Updating Deno to the Latest Version

Using Deno

Installing Bun Runtime

Using Bun

Frequently asked questions

Software

Preparation

Installation

Installing Node.js Runtime

Updating Node.js to the Latest Version

Using Node.js & npm

Creating a New Project

Installing Deno Runtime

Updating Deno to the Latest Version

Using Deno

Installing Bun Runtime

Using Bun

Game Server

Servers & Hosting

ZAPX

Resources

ZAP-Hosting