What is npm?
npm is the world's largest Software Library (Registry)
npm is also a software Package Manager and Installer
The World's Largest Software Registry (Library)
npm is the world's largest Software Registry.
The registry contains over 800,000 code packages.
Open-source developers use npm to share software.
Many organizations also use npm to manage private development.
Using npm is Free
npm is free to use.
You can download all npm public software packages without any registration or logon.
Command Line Client
npm includes a CLI (Command Line Client) that can be used to download and install software:
Windows Example
C:\>npm install <package>
Mac OS Example
>npm install <package>
Installing npm
npm is installed with Node.js
This means that you have to install Node.js to get npm installed on your computer.
Download Node.js from the official Node.js web site: https://nodejs.org
Software Package Manager
The name npm (Node Package Manager) stems from when npm first was created as a package manager for Node.js.
All npm packages are defined in files called package.json.
The content of package.json must be written in JSON.
At least two fields must be present in the definition file: name and version.
Example
{
"name" : "foo",
"version" : "1.2.3",
"description" : "A package for fooing things",
"main" : "foo.js",
"keywords" : ["foo", "fool", "foolish"],
"author" : "John Doe",
"licence" : "ISC"
}
Managing Dependencies
npm can manage dependencies.
npm can (in one command line) install all the dependencies of a project.
Dependencies are also defined in package.json.
Sharing Your Software
If you want to share your own software in the npm registry, you can sign in at:
Publishing a Package
You can publish any directory from your computer as long as the directory has a package.json file.
Check if npm is installed:
C:\>npm
Check if you are logged in:
C:\>npm whoami
If not, log in:
C:\>npm login
Username: <your username>
Password: <your password>
Navigate to your project and publish your project:
C:\Users\myuser>cd myproject
C:\Users\myuser\myproject>npm publish
