Step-by-Step Guide to Installing the MEAN Stack

The MEAN stack is a popular set of technologies used to develop powerful, modern web applications. MEAN stands for MongoDB, Express.js, Angular, and Node.js. It is a full-stack JavaScript framework, which means you can build both the client-side and server-side of an application using JavaScript. In this blog, we'll walk you through the step-by-step process of installing the MEAN stack on your system.

🔧 Step 1: Install Node.js and npm

Node.js is a runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript on the server side. npm (Node Package Manager) is used to install packages.

Instructions:

Visit the official Node.js website.

Download the LTS version for your operating system.

Install Node.js by following the prompts.

Verify installation using the terminal or command prompt:

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node -v

npm -v

💾 Step 2: Install MongoDB

MongoDB is a NoSQL database used to store application data.

Instructions:

Go to the MongoDB download center.

Download the MongoDB Community Server.

Install MongoDB by following the instructions for your operating system.

After installation, start the MongoDB service:

On Windows: It usually runs automatically.

On macOS/Linux: Use the command:

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sudo service mongod start

Confirm MongoDB is running:

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mongo

🌐 Step 3: Install Angular CLI

Angular is the front-end framework in the MEAN stack. We'll use Angular CLI to create and manage Angular projects easily.

Instructions:

Open terminal/command prompt.

Run the following command:

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npm install -g @angular/cli

Check installation:

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ng version

🚀 Step 4: Install Express.js and Create a Backend Project

Express.js is a lightweight framework for Node.js that simplifies the creation of APIs and server-side logic.

Instructions:

Create a new folder for your backend:

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mkdir backend

cd backend

Initialize a new Node.js project:

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npm init -y

Install Express:

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npm install express

Create a basic server:

In your backend folder, create a file named server.js and add the following code:

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const express = require('express');

const app = express();

const port = 3000;

app.get('/', (req, res) => {

  res.send('Hello from Express!');

});

app.listen(port, () => {

  console.log(`Server running at http://localhost:${port}`);

});

Start the server:

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node server.js

🛠️ Step 5: Connect Frontend and Backend

Now that you have both the Angular frontend and Express backend, you can begin to build a full-stack application.

Create an Angular project:

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ng new frontend

cd frontend

Use HttpClientModule in Angular to connect to your Express APIs.

✅ Final Notes

Congratulations! You have now successfully installed and set up the MEAN stack on your system. From here, you can begin developing full-stack applications using only JavaScript—from the database to the user interface.

Why Use MEAN Stack?

• JavaScript everywhere
• Fast and scalable
• Open-source and community-supported

Whether you're building a simple app or a complex system, the MEAN stack provides a flexible and efficient structure for full-stack web development.

Read more:

What Is MEAN Stack? A Beginner’s Guide

Visit Quality Thought Training

MEAN Stack Training Course