NPM (Node Package Manager) is recognized as the world’s largest software registry, making it an essential tool for developers working with Node.js. As a free, open-source platform bundled with Node.js, NPM allows developers to manage dependencies and packages efficiently. With packages written in JSON, NPM simplifies the entire process of installing, managing, and sharing code.
What Makes NPM a Must-Have for Node.js Development?
- Ease of Use: NPM is designed to streamline the development process, making it incredibly user-friendly for both new and experienced developers.
- Local Package Installation: Unlike global installations, NPM allows you to install packages locally, optimizing storage space and preventing conflicts between projects.
- Reduced Development Time: By providing the exact modules you need, NPM accelerates your workflow, enabling you to focus more on coding and less on configuration.
In essence, NPM’s core function is simple yet powerful: it allows you to upload, store, share, and reuse software packages efficiently. This significantly enhances the overall development experience, helping developers deliver projects faster with fewer roadblocks.
How to Install NPM
NPM is automatically installed when you install Node.js. If you don’t have Node.js installed yet, follow these steps to get started:
For Debian users:
Run the command below to check if you have Node.js installed:
node -v
If you don’t have it installed, simply run the command below to install npm
sudo apt update && sudo apt install npm -y
The command above updates your system’s repositories and installs npm.
If you are using any other OS, you can follow the steps below
Step 1: Download and Install Node.js
Since NPM is bundled with Node.js, you’ll need to download Node.js from the official website.
- Go to Node.js Official Website
Visit nodejs.org and download the latest version of Node.js which is recommended for most users. - Install Node.js
Follow the installation wizard for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). This process automatically installs both Node.js and NPM on your machine.
Step 2: Verify Installation
Once the installation is complete, it’s important to check if both Node.js and NPM have been installed correctly.
- Open a Terminal/Command Prompt
- On Windows, you can use the Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- On macOS/Linux, open the Terminal.
Check Node.js Version
Run the following command to check the installed Node.js version:
node -v
This should return the version number of Node.js, confirming that it’s installed.
Check NPM Version
To verify that NPM was installed with Node.js, use the following command:
npm -v
This will return the version of NPM currently installed on your system.
Step 3: Updating NPM
Though NPM is included with Node.js, it’s a good practice to ensure you have the latest version of NPM. Here’s how to update it:
- Run the following command to update NPM to the latest version:
npm install -g npm
2. Verify the update by checking the version again:
npm -v
And that’s it! You’re now ready to use NPM to manage packages and dependencies in your Node.js projects.