What is npm and how is it used in JavaScript projects?
Asked on Sep 17, 2024
Answer
NPM, which stands for Node Package Manager, is a tool used to manage packages (libraries or modules) in JavaScript projects, especially those using Node.js. It helps developers install, update, and manage dependencies efficiently.
<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
// Initialize a new Node.js project
npm init -y
// Install a package (e.g., Express)
npm install express
// Install a package as a development dependency
npm install --save-dev jest
// Update all packages to the latest version
npm update
<!-- END COPY / PASTE -->Additional Comment:
✅ Answered with JavaScript best practices.- NPM is included with Node.js, so installing Node.js will also install NPM.
- The "npm init -y" command creates a "package.json" file with default settings, which is essential for managing project dependencies.
- The "npm install" command adds packages to the "node_modules" directory and updates "package.json" and "package-lock.json".
- Use "npm install --save-dev" for packages needed only during development, like testing tools.
- "npm update" updates the packages to the latest versions according to the version ranges specified in "package.json".
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