Node Package Manager (NPM) is a command line tool that installs, updates or uninstalls Node.js packages in your application. It is also an online repository for open-source Node.js packages. The node community around the world creates useful modules and publishes them as packages in this repository.
It has now become a popular package manager for other open-source JavaScript frameworks like AngularJS, jQuery, Gulp, Bower etc.
Official website: https://www.npmjs.com
NPM is included with Node.js installation. After you install Node.js, verify NPM installation by writing the following command in terminal or command prompt.
C:\> npm -v
2.11.3 If you have an older version of NPM then you can update it to the latest version using the following command.
C:\> npm install npm -g To access NPM help, write npm help in the command prompt or terminal window.
C:\> npm help NPM performs the operation in two modes: global and local. In the global mode, NPM performs operations which affect all the Node.js applications on the computer whereas in the local mode, NPM performs operations for the particular local directory which affects an application in that directory only.
Install Package Locally
Use the following command to install any third party module in your local Node.js project folder.
C:\>npm install <package name> For example, the following command will install ExpressJS into MyNodeProj folder.
C:\MyNodeProj> npm install express All the modules installed using NPM are installed under node_modules folder. The above command will create ExpressJS folder under node_modules folder in the root folder of your project and install Express.js there.
Add Dependency into package.json
Use --save at the end of the install command to add dependency entry into package.json of your application.
For example, the following command will install ExpressJS in your application and also adds dependency entry into the package.json.
C:\MyNodeProj> npm install express --save The package.json of NodejsConsoleApp project will look something like below.
{ "name": "NodejsConsoleApp", "version": "0.0.0", "description": "NodejsConsoleApp", "main": "app.js", "author": { "name": "Dev", "email": "" }, "dependencies": { "express": "^4.13.3" }}
Install Package Globally
NPM can also install packages globally so that all the node.js application on that computer can import and use the installed packages. NPM installs global packages into /<User>/local/lib/node_modules folder.
Apply -g in the install command to install package globally. For example, the following command will install ExpressJS globally.
C:\MyNodeProj> npm install -g express Update Package
To update the package installed locally in your Node.js project, navigate the command prompt or terminal window path to the project folder and write the following update command.
C:\MyNodeProj> npm update <package name> The following command will update the existing ExpressJS module to the latest version.
C:\MyNodeProj> npm update express Uninstall Packages
Use the following command to remove a local package from your project.
C:\>npm uninstall <package name> The following command will uninstall ExpressJS from the application.
C:\MyNodeProj> npm uninstall express Visit docs.npmjs.com for more information on Node Package Manager.
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FAQs
npm is the standard package manager for Node.js. In September 2022 over 2.1 million packages were reported being listed in the npm registry, making it the biggest single language code repository on Earth, and you can be sure there is a package for (almost!) everything.
What is the best package manager for node? ›
NPM is the default package manager for Node. js, it's simple to use, and tends to run with few issues. Because of its default nature, NPM has amassed a robust community of users that can be a great use should you run into any issues.
Is npm not Node Package Manager? ›
Is "npm" an acronym for "Node Package Manager"? Contrary to popular belief, npm is not in fact an acronym for "Node Package Manager"; It is a recursive bacronymic abbreviation for "npm is not an acronym" (if the project was named "ninaa", then it would be an acronym).
What is the difference between node version manager and Node Package Manager? ›
NVM helps manage multiple Node. js versions on the same machine, enabling developers to switch between them as needed. NPM, on the other hand, is a package manager for Node. js, allowing developers to install, share, and manage dependencies in their projects.
How do I run package manager? ›
You can run the following commands:
- To check if there are newer versions available for any installed packages: Get-Package -updates.
- To update a specific package: Update-Package <PackageName>
- To update all packages in a project: Update-Package -ProjectName <ProjectName>
How can I know if NPM package is installed or not? If you want to see which packages have been installed globally, you may use the npm list -g parameter with the npm list command to find out. All of the globally installed packages may be seen in a tree view with the command above.
What is the alternative to NPM package manager? ›
While npm is a powerful and widely-used package manager, alternatives like Yarn, pnpm, Bun, jspm, and even newer runtimes like Deno offer unique features and improvements. Depending on your project requirements and preferences, exploring these options can enhance your development workflow.
Why should I use a package manager? ›
The package manager will provide a method to install new dependencies (also referred to as "packages"), manage where packages are stored on your file system, and offer capabilities for you to publish your own packages.
What does npm stand for? ›
Node package manager (npm) is a package manager and a software register but it's also a place where developers can find, build and manage code packages. Right now, npm contains over 800,000 packages for various applications, from front-end and robotics to mobile apps.
Are npm and node the same? ›
NPM is commonly used in package management and version control, whereas Node. js is used for executing JavaScript code. The NPM package management system makes it easy for developers to install, update, and manage the dependencies a project needs.
Overall, npm offers a robust and feature-rich package management solution that addresses the needs of developers building Node. js applications. Its extensive package repository, mature ecosystem, comprehensive CLI, and community support make it a preferred choice for JavaScript developers worldwide.
Why do we use Node Package Manager? ›
Dependency Management: npm allows you to easily manage and install third-party libraries and packages for your projects. This is essential when you're working on web development projects that rely on various libraries and frameworks.
How to install npm package manager? ›
Install Node (and NPM)
- Because Chocolatey installs a directory different from the MSI installation, go to your system configuration and delete your previous node installation (if you have one)
- Install Chocolatey as described above.
- choco install nodejs. NOTE I used nodejs . ...
- Restart your console.
- Beware: node -v works!
Yarn is generally faster than NPM due to parallel installation and caching mechanisms. NPM is often slower than Yarn, especially in large projects with many dependencies. Yarn ensures deterministic builds with the lockfile, which specifies exact versions of dependencies.
What is the purpose of a package manager? ›
A package manager or package-management system is a collection of software tools that automates the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing computer programs for a computer in a consistent manner.
What does an npm pack do? ›
NPM Pack is an excellent tool for testing your package without publishing it. NPM uses semantic versioning, and instead of publishing a new version to NPM every time you want to test a change, you can create a TAR file, save it locally, and test that against the application you are applying it to.
Can I delete my npm package? ›
To remove a package from your node_modules directory, on the command line, use the uninstall command. Include the scope if the package is scoped. This uninstalls a package, completely removing everything npm installed on its behalf.
It has now become a popular package manager for other open-source JavaScript frameworks like AngularJS, jQuery, Gulp, Bower etc. 