Difference between Global and Local Package in Node.js

In this article, we will discuss the difference between Global and Local Package in Node.js. Before discussing their differences, we must know about the Global and Local Package with their example.

What is the Local Package?

Node.js local packages are only accessible within a specific project and are installed in the node_modules folder. They are commonly used for project-specific dependencies to allow each project to have a versioned package environment separate from other projects on the system. By limiting the project's dependencies, local installs offer stability and consistency when sharing or deploying code. Use the npm install command to install a local package. This approach is ideal for managing project dependencies since it isolates packages, preventing version conflicts across numerous projects.

Command:

Steps used to install the local package:

1. Create a new package using command:

2. Use the local package lodash

3. Create a file application.js to use the lodash local package:

Output:

 RUNNING: node application.js [2, 4, 6, 8, 10] 

Example 1: Using axios for HTTP requests:

Output:

 { "userId": 1, "id": 1, "title": "sunt aut facere repellat provident occaecati excepturi optio reprehenderit", "body": "quia et suscipit\nsuscipit..." } 

What is the Global Package?

Node.js global packages can be accessed from any directory because they are installed centrally on the system. Tools, utilities, and CLI commands that must be accessible through the command line or across several projects are typically covered by these packages. Installing globally enables the use of tools without being restricted to a particular project for shared or system-wide utilities. Type npm install -g to install a global package. However, global packages may result in version conflicts if various projects call for distinct iterations of the same function.

Command:

Using global package:

1. Install using the command:

2. Create using the file:

3. Run nodeman to server.js:

Example:

To run the script use these command:

code:

Key differences between Global and Local Packages:

There are several key differences between Global and Local Packages in Node.js. Some main differences are as follows:

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Node.js users have the option of installing packages locally or globally, which depends on the specific needs of a project and the purpose of each dependency. Local packages are ideal for project-specific dependencies because they provide isolated environments, precise version control, and team uniformity through package.json tracking. This approach is quite useful when managing libraries and dependencies that vary from project to project. Conversely, global packages are useful for CLI tools and utilities that need to be available across several projects, such as TypeScript and Nodemon. However, they may decrease portability and require reinstallation on new systems by introducing risks like version conflicts and system-wide dependencies that affect all projects. Balancing local and global package usage according to these considerations helps maintain stable and productive project environments.