Understanding NPM

Introduction to node_modules Folder:

npm, the default and widely adopted package manager in the NodeJS ecosystem serves as a pivotal tool for installing and administering external modules within a NodeJS project. It also boasts the capability to install various command-line interface (CLI) tools and execute project scripts efficiently. The tracking of installed modules within a project is facilitated through the package.json file, residing in the project’s directory. This file encompasses:...

Purpose of node_modules:

Code Reusability: Node modules allow users to reuse existing code instead of reinventing the wheel. This can save time and effort by leveraging the work of others in the NodeJS community. Modularity: Node modules promote a modular approach to software development. By breaking down code into smaller, manageable modules, users can build more maintainable and scalable applications. Dependency Management: Node modules help manage dependencies within a project. Dependencies are specified in a project’s package.json file, and npm handles the installation and versioning of these dependencies. Encapsulation: Node modules encapsulate functionality, making it easier to understand and reason about different parts of an application. This improves code organization and helps prevent namespace collisions. Community Contribution: Node modules foster collaboration within the NodeJS community. Developers can share their modules with others, contribute to existing modules, and provide feedback to improve the ecosystem as a whole....

Understanding NPM:

The npm (Node Package Manager) serves as a crucial tool for managing packages within JavaScript and Node.js environments. It operates via the command line, enabling developers to efficiently handle project dependencies, share packages, and execute various tasks pertinent to package management and project development....

Understanding package.json

The package.json is a crucial file in a Node.js project, it is a configuration file that contains a list of all the external dependencies that our project contains. Whenever our node project is shared it is shared without the node_modules and to install the required modules to run our project the package.json file plays an important role as now all the modules are downloaded with reference to this file....

Version Control with node_modules Folder:

In version control systems like Git, developers while sharing their code/work don’t include the node_modules folder due to its large size, as it contains a lot of files and folders along with dependencies. In this case, to install the required packages, the package.json file comes into use with the help of which anyone can install the required packages by running the command “npm install” command....

Steps to Setup node_modules Folder:

Step 1: To set up the folder let’s first create a directory in our Nodejs project by writing the following commands in our terminal:...

Conclusion:

Overall, npm is a powerful tool that simplifies package management and streamlines the development process in JavaScript and NodeJS projects. It’s widely used by developers and plays a central role in the NodeJS ecosystem....