What is npm?

npm stands for Node Package Manager.

It is a tool that comes with Node.js and is used to:

1. 1. Install libraries and packages that your project needs.

2. 2. Manage dependencies for your project.

• 3. Run scripts (like starting a development server, building your project, or running tests).

  
  

  Key Points

  • • -Node.js → Lets you run JavaScript outside the browser (on your computer/server).
  • • -npm → Lets you download and manage code libraries (like React, Express, Axios, etc.) that make development easier.

Example Usage

1. 1. Install a library/package

npm install axios

• This downloads the axios package into your project.
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• 2. Run a script from package.json

npm run dev

This runs the development server for your React app.




3. 3. Initialize a new Node project

npm init -y

• • Creates a package.json file, which keeps track of your project’s dependencies and scripts.

Analogy

Think of Node.js as your “engine” that runs JavaScript on your computer, and npm as a “toolbox” full of libraries and utilities you can use to build your project faster.