How to Uninstall Node JS in Ubuntu? (Step by Step Guide)

Node.js is a powerful JavaScript runtime that allows developers to create server-side applications using JavaScript. When the time comes to uninstall the Node js Ubuntu system, following the proper steps to ensure a clean removal is essential. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the uninstall Node js Ubuntu process while also providing insight into Node.js and its relationship with the Ubuntu operating system.

Understanding Node.js and Ubuntu

Node.js is renowned for its versatility and efficiency in developing server-side applications. It is particularly well-suited for Ubuntu, a popular Linux distribution known for its stability and developer-friendly environment. Many developers use Node.js on Ubuntu due to its seamless integration, robust package management system, and excellent support for JavaScript development.

Node.js is an open-source, server-side JavaScript runtime environment that allows developers to run JavaScript on the server rather than just in the web browser. It is built on the V8 JavaScript engine, the same engine used by Google Chrome, and it enables JavaScript to be used for creating dynamic and scalable web applications and services.

Node.js provides a non-blocking, event-driven architecture, which makes it particularly well-suited for building real-time applications, web servers, and network applications. Its key features include

Event-Driven: Node.js operates on a single-thread event loop, which means it can handle multiple connections simultaneously without requiring multiple threads or processes.

Asynchronous: Node.js uses non-blocking I/O operations, efficiently handling many concurrent connections without slowing down or blocking other operations.

NPM (Node Package Manager): Node.js has a vast ecosystem of libraries and modules that can be easily integrated into applications. NPM is a package manager that simplifies installing, updating, and managing these modules.

Fast Execution: Node.js is known for its fast execution of code due to the V8 engine's optimization.

Cross-Platform: Node.js is compatible with various operating systems, making it a versatile choice for developers.

Node.js has gained popularity for building web servers, APIs, and microservices, and many large companies and organizations use it for its efficiency and scalability. It's especially valuable for real-time applications like chat applications, online gaming, and streaming services, where responsiveness and performance are crucial. Additionally, it has a vibrant and active community, continuously developing and maintaining a wide range of modules and libraries, making it a powerful tool for web development.

Step 1: Open the Terminal

Uninstall Node Ubuntu - Begin the uninstallation process by launching a terminal window on your Ubuntu system. You can do this using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T or by searching for "Terminal" in the Ubuntu Dash.

Step 2: Checking Node.js and npm Versions

How to uninstall Node JS in Ubuntu - Before you proceed with uninstalling Node.js, it's a good practice to determine which versions are currently installed. To check the Node.js version, use the following command:

Uninstall node from Ubuntu-

node -v

For npm (Node Package Manager), execute the following:

Uninstall Node JS in Ubuntu-

npm -v

Take note of these versions as you may need them for future reference when reinstalling Node.js.

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Step 3: Uninstall Node JS Ubuntu Using APT

How to uninstall node in Ubuntu - it relies on the APT (Advanced Package Tool) package manager for handling software installations. To uninstall Node js Ubuntu, you'll start by removing the Node.js package. Enter the following command in the terminal:

Node uninstall command Ubuntu-

sudo apt-get remove nodejs

This command will effectively remove the Node.js package. Still, it will not address the global npm packages. If you wish to remove npm as well, use the following command:

sudo apt-get remove npm

Step 4: Removing Global npm Packages

After uninstalling Node.js, you may want to consider removing any global npm packages to free up disk space. To list the globally installed npm packages, run the following:

npm list -g --depth=0

You can manually uninstall Node js Ubuntu for each package using the npm uninstall -g command, followed by the package name.

Step 5: Verification of Uninstallation

To ensure that Node.js and npm have been successfully uninstalled, you can recheck their versions by executing the following commands:

Uninstall node and npm Ubuntu-

node -v
npm -v

If the uninstallation is successful, these commands will result in error messages indicating that the programs are not found.

Step 6: Clean up

Node js uninstall Ubuntu - While Node.js and npm have been uninstalled, some residual configuration files or directories may remain. To remove these, run

sudo apt-get autoremove

This command will eliminate any packages that were automatically installed to meet the dependencies of Node.js and npm.

Step 7: Inspect for Remaining Files

How to uninstall node from Ubuntu - Occasionally, configuration files or directories linked to Node.js or npm might not be automatically removed. To search for any remaining files or directories, use

whereis node
whereis npm

If any locations are listed, navigate to those directories and delete any remaining files.

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Conclusion

To Uninstall Node JS Ubuntu system is a systematic process ensuring clean removal. Following these steps, you can effectively eliminate Node.js and npm. If you decide to reinstall Node.js in the future, you can easily do so by following the installation instructions for Ubuntu as provided on the official Node.js website. The compatibility and synergy between Node.js and Ubuntu make them an excellent choice for developers seeking a robust environment for JavaScript development on the server side.