If you have worked with Node.js or JavaScript development, you have probably come across npm and npx, two popular tools that are used for managing packages and executing scripts. While both of these tools are used in Node.js development, they serve different purposes. In this blog, we will discuss the differences between npm and npx and when to use each tool.
npm stands for Node Package Manager, and it is the default package manager for Node.js. npm is used to install, update, and manage packages and dependencies for a Node.js project. It allows you to easily manage dependencies, run scripts, and publish packages to the npm registry.
npm comes bundled with Node.js, so you don't have to install it separately. To use npm, you need to open a terminal or command prompt and type npm followed by the command you want to run. Some common npm commands include:
npm install: Installs packages and their dependencies.
npm update: Updates packages to the latest version.
npm uninstall: Uninstalls a package.
npm init: Creates a new package.json file for your project.
npm run: Executes a script defined in your package.json file.
npx is a tool that is used to execute Node.js packages. It comes bundled with npm version 5.2 or higher, and it allows you to run packages without installing them globally or locally. This means that you can run a package once without having to worry about it being installed on your system permanently.
npx works by looking for a package in the local or global npm registry and downloading it if it is not already installed. Once the package is downloaded, npx executes the package and passes any arguments that you specify.
Some common npx commands include:
npx create-react-app: Creates a new React app.
npx jest: Runs the Jest testing framework.
npx http-server: Runs a simple web server.
npx nodemon: Runs a Node.js application and restarts it when changes are made.
The main difference between npm and npx is that npm is used to manage packages and dependencies, while npx is used to execute packages. With npm, you need to install a package before you can use it. With npx, you can run a package without installing it.
Another difference is that npm is used to manage packages globally or locally, while npx is used to run packages locally. When you install a package with npm, it is installed either globally or locally, depending on whether you use the -g flag. When you run a package with npx, it is always run locally.
Finally, npx allows you to run the latest version of a package without having to update it manually. When you run a package with npx, it checks the npm registry for the latest version of the package and downloads it if necessary.
You should use npm when you want to manage packages and dependencies for a Node.js project. Use npm to install, update, and remove packages, as well as to manage scripts and publish packages to the npm registry.
You should use npx when you want to run a Node.js package once without installing it globally or locally. Use npx to run command-line tools, scripts, and other Node.js packages without having to worry about installing and managing them.
In conclusion, npm and npx are both valuable tools for Node.js development, but they serve different purposes. Use npm to manage packages and dependencies, and use npx to run packages without installing them permanently. With this knowledge, you can use these tools more effectively and efficiently in your Node.js