What is npm ? - Node Package Manager
NPM stands for Node Package Manager. It is a software package manager that is widely used in the Node.js ecosystem. NPM allows developers to easily install, manage, and share third-party packages or libraries (also known as modules) for use in Node.js applications.
Here are some key features and functionalities of NPM:
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Package Management: NPM simplifies the process of installing and managing dependencies for Node.js projects. Developers can define the required packages and their versions in a configuration file called "package.json." NPM then fetches the specified packages from the NPM registry and installs them in the project's directory.
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Dependency Resolution: NPM automatically resolves and installs dependencies of a package. It analyzes the dependencies specified in the package.json file and installs the required versions, ensuring that all dependencies are correctly installed and compatible with each other.
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Command-Line Interface (CLI): NPM provides a command-line interface that allows developers to interact with the package manager. Developers can use commands like
npm install
,npm update
, andnpm uninstall
to manage packages, install new dependencies, update existing ones, and remove packages from a project. -
Publishing and Sharing Packages: NPM allows developers to publish their own packages to the NPM registry, making them available for others to use. This facilitates the sharing of reusable code and promotes collaboration within the Node.js community.
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Versioning and Updates: NPM manages package versions using semantic versioning (SemVer) principles. Developers can specify version ranges in the package.json file to control how updates to dependencies are handled. NPM provides commands like
npm update
andnpm outdated
to help developers keep their packages up to date.
NPM has become an integral part of the Node.js ecosystem and is widely adopted by developers for managing packages and dependencies in their Node.js projects.