How to install a node.js module in the Alpha Anywhere node ecosystem?

[dougeven]

Hi,

I'm trying to figure out how to install a node module in the node_modules folder of the Alpha Anywhere program folder but it seems more difficult than it should be. I see that node and npm are both installed, but don't work from the command line. In the web projects control panel there is a menu (under "More") that includes an item to "Restart node and open a Console Window" but the console window never allows any input - no input prompt ever appears. What is this for?

I am quite familiar with using npm at the command line in a terminal window (on a Mac) but have never done on Windows. What's the secret?

Thanks.

[Davidk]

Re: How to install a node.js module in the Alpha Anywhere node ecosystem?

To make this really easy... here's one of my favourite Windows tips. Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder where Alpha is installed. I have a version installed in E:\Program Files (x86)\a5V12_3097. But navigate here using windows. Then, hold the Shift key down, and right click somewhere in the main window... and choose "Open command window here". That should put in in a cmd window at that location. Now, type "npm install <module>", no quotes... where <module> is your module name... like mssql... and hit enter. That should install. If not, report back what error you're getting.

[dougeven]

Re: How to install a node.js module in the Alpha Anywhere node ecosystem?

Thanks David. Nice tip!

However, when I type "npm install <module>" (substituting the actual name of the module I want to install) I get: "'npm' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file"

I can see that node.exe exists in the working directory (C:\Program Files\a5V12beta in my case) but I don't see an npm.exe or similar. However there is an 'npm\bin' folder under the node_modules folder with an npm and npm.cmd file. However, attempts to execute those files directly from the command line yields complaints about being unable to find a required module:

Directory of C:\Program Files\a5V12beta\node_modules\npm\bin

[.]                    [..]                   [CVS]
[node-gyp-bin]         npm                    npm-cli.js
npm.cmd                read-package-json.js
               4 File(s)          3,049 bytes
               4 Dir(s)   4,710,391,808 bytes free

C:\Program Files\a5V12beta\node_modules\npm\bin>npm.cmd
module.js:338
    throw err;
    ^

Error: Cannot find module 'C:\Program Files\a5V12beta\node_modules\npm\bin\node_
modules\npm\bin\npm-cli.js'
    at Function.Module._resolveFilename (module.js:336:15)
    at Function.Module._load (module.js:286:25)
    at Function.Module.runMain (module.js:475:10)
    at startup (node.js:117:18)
    at node.js:951:3

C:\Program Files\a5V12beta\node_modules\npm\bin>npm
module.js:338
    throw err;
    ^

Error: Cannot find module 'C:\Program Files\a5V12beta\node_modules\npm\bin\node_
modules\npm\bin\npm-cli.js'
    at Function.Module._resolveFilename (module.js:336:15)
    at Function.Module._load (module.js:286:25)
    at Function.Module.runMain (module.js:475:10)
    at startup (node.js:117:18)
    at node.js:951:3

Does your installation include an npm executable in the A5 program folder?

Thanks.

[dougeven]

Re: How to install a node.js module in the Alpha Anywhere node ecosystem?

After some experimentation I discovered that I am able to use npm this way:

1. Open a command window AS ADMINISTRATOR (if not as Admin permission errors result)

2. Navigate to the A5 program folder, and then to the node_modules folder there.

3. Enter: node npm install <module>

This seems to work for me. However, I hope there is an easier more straightforward way to do this. Somebody enlighten me!!!

Thanks.

[Davidk]

Re: How to install a node.js module in the Alpha Anywhere node ecosystem?

I recall now that I installed nodejs last year which includes the npm install manager. During install, environment variables are set... so that's probably why I can run npm install. I'm not sure what Alpha installs, specifically, to run Node. I wouldn't mind the process you're following.

[Davidk]

Re: How to install a node.js module in the Alpha Anywhere node ecosystem?

Just a bit more follow up on this. I installed nodejs on a virtual machine I have running Windows 10. Before nodejs install, I get the same error as you... npm is not recognized. After nodejs install, npm is recognized. I don't think there's any harm in installing nodejs and it may make life a bit easier for you.

[kkfin]

Re: How to install a node.js module in the Alpha Anywhere node ecosystem?

When you install module it is good practice to check modules license.

Also interesting is to check what kind of licenses and how many are in Alphas a5v12 install directory using windows explorer (search "license"). Seems to be hundreds licenses files.. mit, apache2, free, gpl, DO WHAT THE F... YOU WANT TO PUBLIC LICENSE, many own written and so on.
And they all matters. Huh.