What sets apart `npm install --save-dev gulp-uglify` from `npm install gulp-uglify`?

I'm feeling perplexed regarding the npm installation process. Based on what I've gathered, there are several options available to me when installing modules:

  • The -g option which saves modules globally
  • --save-dev
  • No arguments.

Could someone clarify the differences for me? For instance, if I install a module globally using the -g flag and then install it locally again, will it fetch the modules from the global location?

Furthermore, what is the significance of "--save: Package will appear in your dependencies" mean?

Which dependencies are being referred to here?

javascriptnpm

Answer №1

Alright, here's the deal:

  1. If you're looking to install the dependency locally only, simply run: npm install gulp-uglify. This will generate a folder named node_modules containing the necessary module.
  2. On the other hand, if you prefer a global installation of the package, execute: npm install -g gulp-uglify. This command will place the package on your operating system, enabling you to use it anywhere (not restricted to a specific folder).
  3. Should you choose the --save-dev option (achieved through 
    npm install --save-dev gulp-uglify
    ), your package.json file will also be updated with this dev dependency. The package.json serves as your project manifesto, listing all dependencies required for your project and can be installed collectively by running npm install. To establish the package.json file, initiate npm init.

For further details, refer to this source. Additionally, check out this related post. Hope this explanation clarifies things for you!

Answer №2

By using the -g flag, the module is placed in the global node_modules directory, making it accessible from any location.

The --save-dev option updates the package.json file to list the module as a development dependency, which is then downloaded to the local node_modules folder within the project directory.

Omitting the save argument updates the package.json file to include the module as a regular dependency, also stored in the local node_modules folder.

Understanding the difference between devDependencies and dependencies is crucial when others want to install your project using npm. For instance, running npm install installs both types of dependencies, while npm install --production skips installing devDependencies.

It's important to use --save-dev when importing a module for development purposes only, like jshint for building tasks. Modules essential for running your application should not be added with the --save-dev flag.

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