Differences Between npm and npx

npm and npx are important tools used in Node.js for managing and running JavaScript packages.
Although they are related, they serve different purposes in development.

• npm (Node Package Manager) is used to install, manage, and update project dependencies.
• npx (Node Package Execute) is used to execute Node.js packages directly without installing them globally.
• npm manages packages permanently in a project, whereas npx runs packages temporarily when needed.

NPM

npm (Node Package Manager) is the default package manager for Node.js used to install and manage dependencies. It is written in JavaScript and was developed by Isaac Z. Schlueter, with its initial release on January 12, 2010.

• It gets automatically installed when you install Node.js.
• It provides a command-line tool (npm) to install, update, and manage packages.
• A package contains all files required for a module, and modules are reusable JavaScript libraries used in Node.js projects.

You can check the version of the npm by running the following command:

npm -v

Key Features of npm

• Installs and manages packages (locally or globally).
• Maintains package.json file to track project dependencies.
• Provides scripts for automating tasks (like building and testing).
• Allows developers to publish their own packages to the npm registry.

NPX

npx (Node Package Execute) is a tool that comes with npm (version 5.2.0 and above) and is used to execute Node.js packages without installing them globally. It is mainly used to run packages directly from the npm registry for temporary or one-time use.

• Automatically installed when you install npm version 5.2.0 or higher.
• Allows you to run packages without permanently installing them.
• Useful for one-time execution of packages (e.g., running create-react-app).

You can check npx is installed or not by running the following command:

npx -v

If npx is not installed you can install that separately by running the below command.

npm install -g npx

Key Features of npx:

• Runs commands without globally installing the package.
• Automatically resolves and downloads the required package from the npm registry if it’s not already installed.
• Handles versioning issues by ensuring the latest or specific version of a package is executed.
• Useful for one-off scripts and commands like create-react-app or eslint.

Execution via NPM and NPX

1. Execute package with npm:

For executing a package using npm, we first have to install it and then you can execute it. 

Run the following command to install the required package.

npm install package_name

By typing the local path: You have to write down the local path of your package like below:

./node_modules/.bin/your-package-name

We can also execute it  by enlist them as a script in the package.json file and then execute them

{
    "name": "Your app",
    "version":  "1.0.0",
    "scripts":  {
            "your-package":  "your-package-name"
     }
}

To run package: After that, you can run your package by running the below command: 

npm run your-package-name

2. Execute package with npx: 

• Directly runnable: You can execute your package without installation, to do so run the following command.

npx your-package-name

Differences between npm and npx:

When to Use npm Vs npx

Use npm When:

• You need to install packages (locally or globally) for your project.
• You want to manage dependencies and ensure they are tracked in your package.json.
• You are working on a long-term project where you’ll frequently use the same packages and libraries.

Use npx When:

• You want to execute a package without permanently installing it.
• You’re running one-off commands like create-react-app, eslint, or package binaries.
• You need to run a specific version of a package or command without modifying your existing setup.