In the world of JavaScript development, where npm (Node Package Manager) and Yarn are widely used to manage javascript projects. These tools are indispensable for managing dependencies efficiently and ensuring project scalability. In this article, we aim to make you understand about npm and Yarn, offering insights into their distinctions, functionalities, and best practices.
What is npm?
npm, short for Node Package Manager, is the default package manager for Node.js. It allows developers to install, share, and manage code packages (modules) in their projects. npm is widely used and comes bundled with Node.js, Open source developers from every continent use npm to share and borrow packages.
Installation:
npm is installed automatically with Node.js. You can verify the installation with:
node -v
npm -v
What is yarn?
yarn is an established open-source package manager used to manage dependencies in JavaScript projects. It is developed by facebook which assists with the process of installing, updating, configuring, and removing package dependencies, eventually helping you reach your objectives faster with fewer distractions.
Installation:
You can install Yarn using npm or by downloading it from the Yarn website. To install Yarn using npm:
npm install -g yarn
Output:
yarn installationHow npm and Yarn are different?
npm fetches dependencies from the npm registry during every ‘npm install‘ command while yarn stores dependencies locally, and fetches from the disk during a ‘yarn add‘ command.
npm and yarn are both package managers for javascript but they have some differences mentioned below int the table.
Feature
| npm
| Yarn
|
---|
Installation Speed
| Generally slower
| Faster due to parallel installations
|
---|
Dependency Resolution
| Less consistent
| Deterministic and consistent
|
---|
Offline Mode
| Limited
| Full support
|
---|
Security
| Basic checks
| Enhanced checks
|
---|
Default Lockfile
| package-lock.json
| yarn.lock
|
---|
Install dependencies
| npm install
| npm install
|
---|
Install package
| npm install package_name@version_number
| yarn add package_name@version_number
|
---|
View package
| npm view package_name
| yarn info package_name
|
---|
Examples for npm and yarn:
Now, we will see one example for both. Here we are going to install axios package using npm and then using yarn. The axios is a js library which is used to make HTTP request from browser and Node.js.
Installing axios package using npm
- Installing axios library using yarn
- Installing axios library using yarn
For installing axios package using npm, we need to run the following command:
npm install axios
Output:
Example for npmFor installing axios package using yarn, we need to run the following command:
Output:
Example for yarnConclusion
Features: npm and Yarn are both really useful tools for developers. npm is popular and works well with Node.js, while Yarn is known for being really fast and for making sure everything you add to your project is correct. Yarn also has some cool extras, like being able to work without an internet connection and installing things all at once.
Similar Reads
npm start
Node Package Manager (npm) is an essential tool for JavaScript and Node.js developers. It simplifies the process of managing packages and dependencies in projects. Among its numerous commands, npm start is one of the most commonly used commands, especially when working on Node.js applications. This
2 min read
npm run dev
When working with Node.js and JavaScript projects, especially those involving frontend frameworks like React, Vue, or Next.js, you often encounter the command npm run dev. This command is pivotal for developers as it initiates the development server, enabling live reloading, hot module replacement,
3 min read
NPM Version
NPM, which stands for Node Package Manager, is the default package manager of Node.js. Developed by Isaac Z. Schlueter, NPM is written in JavaScript and was initially released on the 12th of January, 2010. As the default package manager, NPM is used to manage all the packages and the modules in Node
3 min read
NPM Typescript
Node Package Manager (npm) is a package manager for NodeJS and JavaScript, which is mainly used for installing, managing, and sharing reusable code packages. TypeScript, on the other hand, is a powerful superset of JavaScript that introduces static typing, enabling developers to write more robust an
5 min read
What is NPM?
NPM-Node Package Manager is the tool used by most developers within the JavaScript ecosystem. It manages packages and dependencies on behalf of an application in Node.js. It provides a lightweight way of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing third-party libraries or modules that might be
9 min read
pnpm vs npm
In JavaScript, package managers are crucial in managing project dependencies efficiently. Two of the most popular package managers are npm (Node Package Manager) and pnpm (Performant npm). While both serve the same fundamental purpose of installing and managing packages they differ significantly in
4 min read
Cotton Yarn Spinning
Cotton yarn spinning is a complex process that transforms raw cotton fibres into usable yarn. It involves cleaning and carding raw cotton fibres to align them, followed by drawing and twisting to form a roving. The roving undergoes further twisting on a spinning frame, creating a strong and cohesive
10 min read
NPM Register
The NPM Registry serves as a central repository for JavaScript packages, enabling developers to publish, discover, and install packages for use in their projects. This article delves into the npm Registry, providing a detailed guide on registering and managing packages. Table of Content Understandin
3 min read
NPM Puppeteer
Puppeteer, a Node.js library, offers a robust high-level API for controlling Chrome/Chromium browsers through the DevTools Protocol. It excels in automating browser tasks and interactions, making it a go-to choice for developers seeking efficient automation solutions. Puppeteer operates seamlessly w
2 min read
How to Migrate npm to yarn?
JavaScript is a programming language that is popular among programmers, yarn is a package manager for JavaScript that can also help to install modules on Node.js besides npm (Node Package Manager). Node.js comes bundled with npm installed by default and still, you can also use yarn to manage one's p
2 min read