Koding is an online development environment, which allows software/web developers to program and collaborate online using a web browser without installing any extra software on you system or a web browser extension, the platform supports multiple programming languages, including Python, Perl, Node.js, Ruby, Java, PHP and Go. Koding also offers better access to the VM. Each user has his/her own VM with Root access to it. Koding also has a better and more responsive customer service compared to its competitors.

Koding VM’s run Ubuntu 13.04 Server Edition and offer Node.js version 0.10.18 that is available in the Ubuntu repository. We can update to the current stable version of Node.js by using the PPA. This PPA is maintained by Chris Lea and is officially recommended in the Node.js installation documentation, This PPA will install the latest stable version of Node.js available for the specific Ubuntu release or Ubuntu based release.

This is an effective way to stay up to Date with the latest supported version of Node.js for developers who require latest stable version of Koding.

Updating Node.js on Koding VM.

Click the Terminal logo that is near the Teamwork and before the Ace editor on the tool bar. (The setting might be different if you have customized the toolbar.)

The images are no longer available

Once you have the Terminal, it should look something like this.

The images are no longer available

Now you can enter these commands to update the version of Node.js running on your Koding VM.

The PPA build of Node.js comes with NPM.

Adding the PPA.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:chris-lea/node.js Updating the local repository database.

Updating the local repository database.

sudo apt-get update Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Upgrading the VM and updating the Node.js package.

sudo apt-get dist-upgradeCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

If in any case you had uninstalled Node.js from the VM, you can install it back too.

sudo apt-get install nodejs Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Checking which version of Node.js you are running.

node –version 

The output should look like this. v0.10.25

A dist-upgrade is a safe way to keep the Node.js version up to Date.

sudo apt-get dist-upgradeCode language: JavaScript (javascript)

Now you have the latest stable version of Node.js installed on your Koding VM. If you have any problem, feel free to leave a comment below.

The Koding logo (image) used is rightfully owned by Koding Inc

I compiled a list of software and services that I use to improve my workflow, here is the link to the list.

Darryl Dias

I’m Darryl. I’m a 3D Artist, Programmer and Linux enthusiast. On this site I share my insights, tips and tricks, tutorials, methods and best practices.