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Jeremy Max

NPM or PNPM?

NPM, PNPM1 min read

npm is the default package manager for JavaScript, and it has been widely adopted by developers for managing dependencies in their projects. However, an alternative package manager, pnpm, has been gaining popularity for its speed, reliability, and flexibility. In this article, we will discuss the advantages of using pnpm over npm.

Speed

One of the biggest advantages of pnpm is its speed. pnpm uses a different approach to storing packages, which results in faster installations and less disk space used. This can be especially beneficial for large projects with many dependencies, where the time and space savings can add up quickly.

Reliability

pnpm is also more reliable than npm. It uses a unique method of storing packages called a "store" which allows multiple versions of the same package to be stored in the same location. This eliminates the problem of "nested node_modules" and ensures that each package is only stored once on disk, reducing the risk of conflicts and issues.

Flexibility

pnpm also offers more flexibility than npm. It allows developers to easily switch between different versions of a package, and it also allows for the creation of "workspaces", which are groups of packages that share common dependencies. This allows for more efficient development and management of multiple projects.

Performance

pnpm is also more performant than npm. It uses a lockfile, similar to yarn, to ensure that the dependencies are always installed in the same way, regardless of the environment. This improves the reliability and reproducibility of projects.

Community

pnpm also has a growing community. It is actively developed and maintained, and there are plenty of resources and tutorials available to help you learn and use the package manager. It also has a GitHub repository with over 7000 stars, which shows its popularity.

In conclusion, pnpm is a powerful and versatile package manager that offers a number of advantages over npm. Its speed, reliability, flexibility, performance, and community make it a great choice for any developer looking to improve their workflow and manage dependencies more efficiently. While npm is still the most popular package manager, it's worth considering pnpm as an alternative for your next project.