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What is npm and how is it used in JavaScript projects?

Asked on Sep 06, 2025

Answer

NPM, which stands for Node Package Manager, is a tool used to manage packages (libraries or modules) in JavaScript projects, especially those using Node.js. It helps developers install, update, and manage dependencies efficiently.

<!-- BEGIN COPY / PASTE -->
        // Initialize a new Node.js project
        npm init -y

        // Install a package (e.g., Express)
        npm install express

        // Install a package as a development dependency
        npm install --save-dev jest

        // Update all packages to the latest version
        npm update
        <!-- END COPY / PASTE -->

Additional Comment:

NPM is included with Node.js, so installing Node.js will also install NPM.
The "npm init -y" command creates a "package.json" file with default settings, which is essential for managing project dependencies.
The "npm install" command adds packages to the "node_modules" directory and updates "package.json" and "package-lock.json".
Use "npm install --save-dev" for packages needed only during development, like testing tools.
"npm update" updates the packages to the latest versions according to the version ranges specified in "package.json".

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Ask any question about JavaScript here... and get an instant response.

What is npm and how is it used in JavaScript projects?

Asked on Sep 06, 2025

Answer

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