In package.json file, we define all the packages that our project needs. Any version that we mention in the package.json file, we do it in the following format.
MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH
For example, say the version is 2.3.4. In this, 2 is major, 3 is minor and 4 is patch version. If you look closely in your existing project, you’d see that there is usually ~ or ^ before the version like ~2.3.4 or ^2.3.4. We will try to understand what these two characters mean.
npm i installs dependencies based on ~ or ^ in the package.json file and overwrites the package-lock.json and node_modules folder. If package-lock.json doesn’t exist then it generates one. When we use npm i to install the dependencies of the project, the difference between Tilde(~) and Carat(^) is simple.
Carat(^) versioned dependencies are installed till their latest MINOR version. Tilde(~) versioned dependencies are installed till the latest PATCH version. This is only true when we install using npm i
npm ci installs the exact versions of dependencies and ignores the Carat(^) and Tilde(~) in the package.json file. It requires a package-lock.json file to be present.
Using npm i or npm ci is totally dependent on your needs and environment. Hope this article was helpful.
internet, javascript, node, npm, tech, technology — Jan 1, 2022
Made with ❤ and at Earth.