Can we have the --no-optional flag?

[javefang]

Can we add a --no-optional so slc build will install dependencies with npm install --no-optional? Our company's policy doesn't allow internet access on the build server, which slows down the build a lot when it tries to install an optional dependency sl-blip. Thanks!

[rmg]

You might be able to accomplish this by setting an environment variable, since all npm config and CLI flags basically use them. Would probably be something like npm_config_skip_optional=1 slc build I think.

Also, this would be an great feature to submit a pull request for if anyone is so inclined, since it should be pretty straightforward.

[javefang]

Thanks @rmg, I figured out that this can be achieved with npm_config_optional=0 slc build, I can live with it for now. But is happy to look into providing a PR should more developer request it.

In the end this is only needed when an npm package is not hosted on the npm registry (e.g. git), the sl-blip optional dependency is an example, seems like people are complaining about it already. If that would be solved then we won't need this feature anymore.

strongloop/loopback#1079