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Code & Deliveryabbreviation · /ˌen piː ˈem/

npm

In simple English

npm is essential infrastructure in the JavaScript ecosystem. When you start a new JavaScript project, you use npm to initialize it, install third-party libraries (called packages), and manage version dependencies. It reads from a package.json file that lists all your project's dependencies and their versions. npm also allows developers to publish their own packages to the npm registry, making code reusable across the community. In daily work, developers use npm commands like 'npm install' to add packages, 'npm update' to upgrade versions, and 'npm run' to execute custom scripts. Understanding npm is fundamental for any JavaScript developer, whether working on web applications, backend services with Node.js, or build tools.

What is npm, how do you use it, and why is it essential for JavaScript development?

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility4/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓Run npm install to get all the dependencies
✓I am going to publish this module to npm
✓Let us check the npm registry for available packages

Real examples

in a standup

"I fixed the build issue by updating npm to the latest version this morning."

in a code review

"We should add this utility to npm so other teams can use it in their projects."

in a team meeting

"The npm audit command flagged three security vulnerabilities we need to patch before release."

Don't say this

Handle with care. npm is a specific tool for JavaScript/Node.js, not a general package manager. Do not use it to describe package managers in other ecosystems like pip (Python) or Maven (Java).

✕We use npm for Python packages.
✓We use pip for Python packages; npm is for JavaScript.— npm is specific to JavaScript and Node.js ecosystem, not Python or other languages.
✕I npm the library into the project.
✓I installed the library using npm.— npm is a tool you use, not a verb by itself. Use 'install with npm' or 'use npm to install'.
✕The npm is broken.
✓npm is broken or There is an npm issue.— npm is typically used as a countable noun or tool reference, not with the article 'the' in technical contexts.

Other forms

noun

npm

"npm is installed by default when you install Node.js."

noun

npm package

"This npm package provides utilities for date formatting."

noun

npm registry

"The npm registry contains millions of open-source packages."

Often used with

npm installThe most common command to download and install packages from the registry
npm scriptCustom commands defined in package.json that developers run with npm run
npm packageA reusable module or library published to the npm registry
npm registryThe centralized repository where npm packages are stored and published
npm auditA command that checks for security vulnerabilities in your dependencies
npm updateCommand to upgrade packages to newer versions

Similar words

package managerGeneral term for any tool that manages code dependencies; npm is a specific package manager for JavaScript
Node Package ManagerThe full name of npm, used less frequently in conversation

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your colleague needs to add a logging library to the project. How do you explain it?

Complete the sentence

2. Before deploying, we should run _______ to check for any security vulnerabilities in our dependencies.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses npm incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this using npm terminology: 'We downloaded and installed all the code libraries that our project depends on.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "npm" in a standup this week?

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