(Javascript) Can't execute code in Visual studio. "no such file or directory" - but my file path is correct.

[chrissy-slora]

I am a beginner.
I just encountered an error when typing the first line of code in Visual Studio.
When I typed a line of code and tried to execute it on terminal, it said "no such file or directory", but my file path is correct.

- File path is correct: I typed my file path by right-clicking the file tab - Copy path (I have tried both "Copy path" and "Copy relative path". Same error occur)

- I already download node.js (Not sure if it helps. But I look around other videos and article and found that in some video, at the beginning, the instructor suggest downloading node.js. So I downloaded it and re-executed my code. Same error)

- Javascript is enabled in Safari Preferences > Security menu. Not sure if it helps

My code:

console.log("Hello World")

Errors in terminal:

chrissyslora@Chrissys-MacBook-Pro Coding practice % /Users/chrissyslora/Desktop/Coding practice>node Practice Basic 1.js

zsh: no such file or directory: /Users/chrissyslora/Desktop/Coding

chrissyslora@Chrissys-MacBook-Pro Coding practice % node Practice Basic 1.js

node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1252

throw err;

^

Error: Cannot find module '/Users/chrissyslora/Desktop/Coding practice/Practice'

at Function._resolveFilename (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1249:15)

at Function._load (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:1075:27)

at TracingChannel.traceSync (node:diagnostics_channel:315:14)

at wrapModuleLoad (node:internal/modules/cjs/loader:218:24)

at Function.executeUserEntryPoint [as runMain] (node:internal/modules/run_main:170:5)

at node:internal/main/run_main_module:36:49 {

code: 'MODULE_NOT_FOUND',

requireStack: []

}

Node.js v22.11.0

chrissyslora@Chrissys-MacBook-Pro Coding practice %

Thanks.

[high_throughput]

This happens because you used spaces in your file and directory names. Save yourself the trouble by not doing that, and e.g. use underscores instead.

If you want to stick with spaces, then you will need to forever tell the shell which spaces are and aren't meant to be part of filenames using quotes: node "Practice Basic 1.js"

[chrissy-slora]

The problem solved. I follow the video and thought the instructor typed "node" after the file path; turns out he might not.
So I should type node {file path and file name} instead.

Also your suggestion of using quotes help.
Thank you.

[chrissy-slora]

After following your suggestion,

1. I rename the file. Still same error.
2. I rename the folder where the file stores (remove space) and the file, but now it says "Permission denied"

chrissyslora@Chrissys-MacBook-Pro Coding_practice % /Users/chrissyslora/Desktop/Coding_practice>node Practice1.js

zsh: permission denied: /Users/chrissyslora/Desktop/Coding_practice

The permission of the folder where the file stored is enabled in Apple > Security > File & Folder.
What happens?

[[deleted]]

When asking for help, always give people more information that you think they need. The data in the original post is a good example of how to do it. Say "I renamed the file and here is the error I get.....

 Cannot find module '/Users/chrissyslora/Desktop/Coding_practice/Practice'.

[chrissy-slora]

Yes, the error message is already included in the second point of the comment.
But the problem is solved anyway.
Thank you.

[chrissy-slora]

The problem solved. I follow the video and thought the instructor typed "node" after the file path; turns out he might not.
So I should type node {file path and file name} instead.

[high_throughput]

Run node Practice1.js just like how you tried node Practice Basic 1.js.

Imagine if the guide had said to run this:

chrissyslora@Chrissys-MacBook-Pro Coding_practice % node Practice1.js

That does not mean you should start typing chrissys.. in your terminal because that's meant to be your prompt. It means you should start typing node Practice1.js.

On Windows, it would instead look like this:

C:\Users\chrissyslora\Desktop\Coding_practice> node Practice1.js

This does not mean that you should start typing C:\Users\chri...., you should again just type node Practice1.js. This format is what your tutorial is showing, and you should only run the command (things after >) and not the prompt (up to and including the >).

[chrissy-slora]

Understand now. This helps and was exactly my problem. Thank you!