Node Package Manager (npm) is an essential tool for any JavaScript developer. It serves as the default package manager for the JavaScript runtime environment Node.js. npm simplifies sharing and reusing code by providing access to a vast repository of packages, essentially reusable pieces of code that can be easily integrated and automatically removed into a project.
Managing dependencies is a critical aspect of modern web development. Dependencies are external code libraries that a project relies on to function correctly. npm helps developers to manage these dependencies efficiently through its commands, ensuring that the correct versions of libraries are installed and maintained throughout the development lifecycle.
The npm install command is one of the most frequently used npm commands. It serves multiple purposes:
When you run npm install, npm looks at the package.json file to determine which packages and versions are required for the project. It then consults the package-lock.json file to install packages with the exact versions of the last installed packages, ensuring consistency across installations. If no package-lock.json file exists, npm generates one.
Here's an example of how to use npm install to add a new dependency:
1npm install lodash 2
This command will install the latest version of lodash and will update dependencies in both package.json and package-lock.json files, adding lodash to the list of dependencies.
In scenarios where you need to install dependencies as they are defined in package.json, without making any changes to the existing dependencies, npm install is the appropriate command to use.
The npm ci command is designed for automated environments such as continuous integration (CI) systems. It provides a more reliable and faster installation process vs npm by bypassing certain user-oriented features of npm.
Unlike npm install, npm ci requires a package-lock.json file and installs precisely what is specified there. It does not modify the package-lock.json file; instead, it uses the locked versions to ensure the installation process is deterministic and repeatable across multiple installations or environments.
Here's how npm ci begins its process:
The npm ci command is handy when installing entire projects with all its dependencies in a consistent state, such as when setting up a project on a new development machine or in a CI/CD pipeline.
The main differences between npm ci vs npm install, and npm install lie in their approach to handling the node_modules directory and the package-lock.json file. npm ci will always provide a clean install of your project's dependencies as per the package-lock.json file, essentially freezing the dependency tree. This is crucial for continuous integration systems where consistency is key.
On the other hand, npm install will update existing dependencies to their latest compatible versions and modify dependency versions in the package-lock.json file accordingly. It is more flexible and is typically used during the development process when adding or updating individual dependencies.
In continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), npm ci is vital. It ensures that the installation of dependencies is predictable and that the same versions installing dependencies are installed every time, leading to more reliable builds. This is especially important when multiple developers work on the same project or deploy code to production environments.
npm ci also has performance benefits; it is generally faster than npm install because it skips certain user-oriented features and focuses solely on creating a repeatable build. This speed is advantageous in automated environments where build times can significantly impact the development workflow.
Moreover, following the command above, npm ci checks for package-lock.json and npm-shrinkwrap.json files to ensure that the installed versions of the packages match those expected by the project. If missing or incompatible versions exist, npm ci will throw an error, preventing potential issues in the build process.
Developers should consider the context in which they are working to decide whether to use npm ci or npm install. Here are some guidelines:
Developers may encounter various issues when using npm ci or npm install. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
In conclusion, understanding the differences between npm ci and npm install is crucial for developers to test platforms and manage dependencies effectively. By following best practices and troubleshooting common issues, developers can ensure smooth and reliable builds, whether working on a local development machine or in automated CI/CD environments.
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