npm:
What is it?
npm (Node Package Manager) is a package manager for Node.js packages/modules. It is used to install, manage, and publish packages/modules for use in Node.js applications.
How is it used?
npm is primarily used via the command line interface (CLI). Developers can use npm commands such as npm install, npm update, npm uninstall, and npm publish to manage packages. They can also define dependencies and devDependencies for their projects in a package.json file and use npm to install all dependencies listed in this file.
Why is it needed?
npm simplifies the process of managing dependencies in Node.js projects. It provides a centralized repository of packages/modules that developers can easily install and use in their projects. Additionally, npm facilitates version management, dependency resolution, and package publishing, making it an essential tool for Node.js developers.
npx:
What is it?
npx is a package runner tool that comes bundled with npm (since npm version 5.2.0). It is used to execute Node.js packages directly from the npm registry without installing them globally or locally.
How is it used?
npx is used via the command line interface (CLI). Developers can run npm packages using the npx <package> command, followed by any arguments or options required by the package. If the specified package is not installed locally or globally, npx automatically installs it temporarily and then executes it.
Why is it needed?
npx simplifies the execution of Node.js packages without the need for manual installation. It allows developers to run packages without polluting their global or project-specific dependencies. npx is particularly useful for running command-line tools, utilities, and one-off scripts without the hassle of managing dependencies.