Node.js

At its most basic level, Node.js is an open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that allows you to run JavaScript code outside of a web browser.

Traditionally, JavaScript was only used inside web browsers to make websites interactive (the frontend). Node.js changed everything by taking the ultra-fast V8 JavaScript engine—originally built by Google for the Chrome browser—and allowing it to run natively on servers or local computer operating systems (the backend).

Why Do Developers Use It?

• A Single Language: Developers can use JavaScript to write both their website's user interface and the underlying server logic, meaning they don't have to switch between different programming languages.
• High Performance: Because it is powered by Google's V8 engine, Node.js executes code incredibly fast by compiling JavaScript directly into native machine code.
• Asynchronous Processing: It is designed to handle multiple tasks at once. It can process thousands of file reads or database requests simultaneously without getting "stuck" waiting for a single task to finish.
• Massive Library Ecosystem: It includes npm (Node Package Manager), which is the largest registry of open-source software libraries in the world. This allows developers to easily download pre-written tools instead of building everything from scratch.

Step 1: Download the Node.js Installer

1. Open your web browser and go to the official website: https://nodejs.org/
2. Download the LTS (Long Term Support) version. This is the most stable release recommended for most users.
3. Once the installer file (.msi for Windows or .pkg for macOS) finishes downloading, open it.

Step 2: Run the Installation Wizard

1. Click Next to accept the license agreement.
2. Keep all the default settings selected (do not uncheck any boxes).
3. Important for Windows users: If a screen asks to install "Tools for Native Modules," leave it unchecked (you do not need extra C++ compilation tools for this project).
4. Click Install, authorize administrative access if prompted, and click Finish.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

1. Open your terminal:
   • Windows: Press the Win Key + R, type cmd, and hit Enter to open the Command Prompt.
   • Mac: Press Cmd + Space, type Terminal, and hit Enter.
2. Run the following command to check the Node version:

   node -v

   (You should see a version number output like v20.x.x or higher).
3. Run the following command to check npm (Node Package Manager, installed automatically alongside Node):

   npm -v

Step 4: Initialize Your Converter Project Folder

1. Create a dedicated folder on your computer for your conversion project (e.g., stroke-converter).
2. Navigate into that folder using your terminal:

   cd path/to/your/stroke-converter

3. Initialize a Node.js project inside the folder by running:

   npm init -y

   (This instantly generates a package.json file that keeps track of your installed tools).

Step 5: Install Required Conversion Libraries

Run this single command in your terminal while inside your project folder to install the parsing tools:

npm install cheerio svg-path-properties

Once installed, your environment is fully configured. You can now create a .js file inside that folder to run your SVG conversion scripts.

1. convert.js

Create a file named convert.js in your project folder

2. How to Run the Script

1. Place your animCJK SVG files into a folder named svgsZhHant inside your project directory.
2. Open your terminal in the project directory and run:

   node convert.js

To convert Hong Kong files later, change INPUT_DIR = './svgsZhHk' and SUFFIX = 'hk' at the top of convert.js and run the script again.