NPM vs NPX: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each?

NPM vs NPX
NPM vs NPX

If you’ve been working with Node.js, you’ve probably come across both npm and npx. While they sound similar and are both important tools in the Node.js ecosystem, they serve very different purposes. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between npm vs npx, and help you decide when to use each.

What is NPM?

NPM, which stands for Node Package Manager, is the default package manager for Node.js. It allows developers to easily install, manage, and share packages (also known as libraries or code modules) in their projects.

Common Uses of NPM

  • Installing dependencies: NPM makes it easy to add external libraries to your project.
    Example:
Bash
  npm install <package-name>
  • Managing package versions: You can lock down specific versions of libraries to ensure consistent builds.
  • Running project-specific scripts: These scripts are defined in the package.json file of your project.
    Example:
Bash