> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://jqn.gitbook.io/installing-node-for-linux/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://jqn.gitbook.io/installing-node-for-linux/installation.md).

# Installation

The first step before attempting to install node is to get python2 installed on your machine. You will get this error if python2 is not installed.

`File "./configure", line 329`

You might also run into this error: `unable to lock database` Run `sudo rm /var/lib/pacman/db.lck` to remove the database lock file.

## Steps

First run `sudo pacman -S python2`

Then in your text editor open the following file to create a symbolic link:

`/usr/bin/python`

Change the line `#!/usr/bin/python` to `python2`

Another way to do this would be by creating a symlink from the terminal:

`cd /usr/bin` Crete the symlink `ln -sf python2 python`

Then install [Node.js](http://nodejs.org/) from source.

Go to the node homepage and download the source code from the downloads section.

I will look something like this: `Source code node-v0.10.34.tar.gz`

Then cd into the downloads directory and run the following commands:

`tar -xvf node-v0.10.34.tar.gz` this will extract the contents of the tar ball.

`cd node-v0.10.34`

`./configure --prefix=~/.node`

`make && make install`

Once the whole process is done add the following to your shell startup scripts(.bash\_profile, .bashrc or .profile)

`export PATH=$PATH:$HOME/.node/bin`

`export NODE_PATH=$HOME/.node/lib/node_modules`

Restart the terminal and run `node -v` this should print out the current node version.

Finally pad yourself on the back and congratulate yourself. You are starting your journey as a Full Stack JavaScript Developer.