Detect OS with Node.js: Tips and Tricks

Detecting the operating system (OS) with Node.js is a common task for many developers. It can be useful for building cross-platform applications or for executing specific code based on the underlying OS. In this article, we will explore some tips and tricks for detecting the OS with Node.js.

Using the os Module

The easiest way to detect the OS with Node.js is by using the built-in os module. This module provides a platform-independent interface for interacting with the underlying operating system. You can access the os module by requiring it at the beginning of your Node.js script:

<!-- language: javascript -->
const os = require('os');

Once you have access to the os module, you can use the os.platform() method to get information about the underlying OS:

<!-- language: javascript -->
console.log(os.platform());
// Output: 'darwin' (on macOS)

The os.platform() method returns a string that identifies the operating system. The possible values are:

• 'aix'
• 'darwin' (on macOS)
• 'freebsd'
• 'linux'
• 'openbsd'
• 'sunos'
• 'win32' (on Windows)

You can use this information to execute specific code based on the underlying OS:

<!-- language: javascript -->
if (os.platform() === 'win32') {
  console.log('This is Windows');
} else if (os.platform() === 'darwin') {
  console.log('This is macOS');
} else {
  console.log('This is Linux/Unix');
}

Using Process Variables

Another way to detect the OS with Node.js is by using process variables. The process object provides a number of variables that contain information about the underlying operating system:

• process.platform - a string identifying the operating system
• process.arch - a string identifying the CPU architecture
• process.version - a string identifying the Node.js version

You can use these variables to detect the OS with Node.js:

<!-- language: javascript -->
console.log(process.platform);
// Output: 'darwin' (on macOS)

Like the os.platform() method, the process.platform variable returns a string that identifies the operating system.

Conclusion

Detecting the operating system with Node.js is a simple task that can be accomplished using the built-in os module or process variables. By knowing the underlying OS, you can execute specific code or build cross-platform applications that work on different operating systems.