How to Set Up Node.js and TypeScript on AlmaLinux

Node.js is a powerful runtime for building scalable, server-side applications, and TypeScript adds a layer of type safety to JavaScript, enabling developers to catch errors early in the development cycle. Combining these two tools creates a strong foundation for developing modern web applications. If you’re using AlmaLinux, a robust, community-driven Linux distribution derived from RHEL, this guide will walk you through the steps to set up Node.js with TypeScript.

Why Choose Node.js with TypeScript?

Node.js is popular for its non-blocking, event-driven architecture, which makes it ideal for building real-time applications. However, JavaScript’s dynamic typing can sometimes lead to runtime errors that are hard to debug. TypeScript mitigates these issues by introducing static typing and powerful development tools, including better editor support, auto-completion, and refactoring capabilities.

AlmaLinux, as an enterprise-grade Linux distribution, provides a stable and secure environment for deploying applications. Setting up Node.js and TypeScript on AlmaLinux ensures you’re working on a reliable platform optimized for performance.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

1. A fresh AlmaLinux installation: This guide assumes you have administrative access.
2. Root or sudo privileges: Most commands will require superuser permissions.
3. Basic knowledge of the terminal: Familiarity with Linux commands will help you navigate through this guide.

Step 1: Update the System

Start by ensuring your system is up-to-date:

sudo dnf update -y

This command updates all installed packages and ensures you have the latest security patches and features.

Step 2: Install Node.js

There are multiple ways to install Node.js on AlmaLinux, but the recommended method is using the NodeSource repository to get the latest version.

Add the NodeSource Repository

NodeSource provides RPM packages for Node.js. Use the following commands to add the repository and install Node.js:

curl -fsSL https://rpm.nodesource.com/setup_18.x | sudo bash -

Replace 18.x with the version you want to install. This script sets up the Node.js repository.

Install Node.js

After adding the repository, install Node.js with:

sudo dnf install -y nodejs

Verify the Installation

Check if Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager) were installed successfully:

node -v
npm -v

These commands should output the installed versions of Node.js and npm.

Step 3: Install TypeScript

TypeScript can be installed globally using npm. Run the following command to install it:

sudo npm install -g typescript

After installation, verify the TypeScript version:

tsc -v

The tsc command is the TypeScript compiler, and its version number confirms a successful installation.

Step 4: Set Up a TypeScript Project

Once Node.js and TypeScript are installed, you can create a new TypeScript project.

Create a Project Directory

Navigate to your workspace and create a new directory for your project:

mkdir my-typescript-app
cd my-typescript-app

Initialize a Node.js Project

Run the following command to generate a package.json file, which manages your project’s dependencies:

npm init -y

This creates a default package.json file with basic settings.

Install TypeScript Locally

While TypeScript is installed globally, it’s good practice to also include it as a local dependency for the project:

npm install typescript --save-dev

Generate a TypeScript Configuration File

The tsconfig.json file configures the TypeScript compiler. Generate it with:

npx tsc --init

A basic tsconfig.json file will look like this:

{
  "compilerOptions": {
    "target": "ES6",
    "module": "commonjs",
    "outDir": "./dist",
    "strict": true
  },
  "include": ["src/**/*"],
  "exclude": ["node_modules"]
}

• target: Specifies the ECMAScript version for the compiled JavaScript.
• module: Defines the module system (e.g., commonjs for Node.js).
• outDir: Specifies the output directory for compiled files.
• strict: Enables strict type checking.
• include and exclude: Define which files should be included or excluded from compilation.

Create the Project Structure

Organize your project files by creating a src directory for TypeScript files:

mkdir src

Create a sample TypeScript file:

nano src/index.ts

Add the following code to index.ts:

const message: string = "Hello, TypeScript on AlmaLinux!";
console.log(message);

Step 5: Compile and Run the TypeScript Code

To compile the TypeScript code into JavaScript, run:

npx tsc

This command compiles all .ts files in the src directory into .js files in the dist directory (as configured in tsconfig.json).

Navigate to the dist directory and run the compiled JavaScript file:

node dist/index.js

You should see the following output:

Hello, TypeScript on AlmaLinux!

Step 6: Add Type Definitions

Type definitions provide type information for JavaScript libraries and are essential when working with TypeScript. Install type definitions for Node.js:

npm install --save-dev @types/node

If you use other libraries, you can search and install their type definitions using:

npm install --save-dev @types/<library-name>

Step 7: Automate with npm Scripts

To streamline your workflow, add scripts to your package.json file:

"scripts": {
  "build": "tsc",
  "start": "node dist/index.js",
  "dev": "tsc && node dist/index.js"
}

• build: Compiles the TypeScript code.
• start: Runs the compiled JavaScript.
• dev: Compiles and runs the code in a single step.

Run these scripts using:

npm run build
npm run start

Step 8: Debugging TypeScript

TypeScript integrates well with modern editors like Visual Studio Code, which provides debugging tools, IntelliSense, and error checking. Use the tsconfig.json file to fine-tune debugging settings, such as enabling source maps.

Add the following to tsconfig.json for better debugging:

"compilerOptions": {
  "sourceMap": true
}

This generates .map files, linking the compiled JavaScript back to the original TypeScript code for easier debugging.

Step 9: Deployment Considerations

When deploying Node.js applications on AlmaLinux, consider these additional steps:

1. Process Management: Use a process manager like PM2 to keep your application running:

   sudo npm install -g pm2
   pm2 start dist/index.js
   

2. Firewall Configuration: Open necessary ports for your application using firewalld:

   sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=3000/tcp
   sudo firewall-cmd --reload
   

3. Reverse Proxy: Use Nginx or Apache as a reverse proxy for production environments.

Conclusion

Setting up Node.js with TypeScript on AlmaLinux provides a powerful stack for developing and deploying scalable applications. By following this guide, you’ve configured your system, set up a TypeScript project, and prepared it for development and production.

Embrace the benefits of static typing, better tooling, and AlmaLinux’s robust environment for your next application. With TypeScript and Node.js, you’re equipped to build reliable, maintainable, and modern software solutions.