Understanding NPM

Table of Contents

• Understanding NPM

Understanding NPM

NPM (Node Package Manager) is a package manager for the JavaScript programming language. It is the default package manager for the JavaScript runtime environment Node.js.

NPM provides a centralized repository for developers to share and distribute reusable code packages, called "modules". These modules can be used to perform various tasks, such as connecting to databases, handling HTTP requests, and more. With NPM, developers can easily install and manage dependencies in their projects, making it easier to develop and maintain complex applications.

To use NPM, you first need to install Node.js on your system. Once you have Node.js installed, you can use the NPM command line tool to install packages, manage dependencies, and publish your own modules.

Here are some common NPM commands:

1. **npm install <package-name>**: This command installs a package and its dependencies in your project's **node_modules** directory.
2. **npm uninstall <package-name>**: This command uninstalls a package from your project.
3. **npm list**: This command lists all the packages installed in your project.
4. **npm init**: This command creates a **package.json** file in your project, which lists all the dependencies of your project and other metadata.
5. **npm publish**: This command publishes your package to the NPM registry, so others can easily use it in their own projects.

By using NPM, you can benefit from the vast ecosystem of reusable code and collaborate with other developers more easily. NPM makes it easier to manage dependencies, improve maintainability, and speed up development.