What 's the difference between npx and npm?

What is the difference between npx and npm? npx and npm are both commonly used tools in the Node.js environment, playing a critical role in the Node.js and JavaScript ecosystem. Here are some of their main differences:

npm (Node Package Manager):

• Package Manager: npm is the default package manager for Node.js, used for installing, updating, and managing dependencies in projects.
• Global Installation: npm can install packages globally, enabling you to use them anywhere in the command line.
• Local Installation: npm can also install packages locally within specific projects, typically placed in the node_modules folder.
• Script Execution: npm can execute scripts defined in the package.json file.
• Version Management: npm manages package versions through the package.json and package-lock.json files.
• Package Publishing: npm can be used to publish and update packages to the npm registry.

npx (Node Package Execute):

• Execute Packages: npx is used to execute packages from the npm registry without manual download or installation.
• One-off Commands: npx is ideal for running commands once, allowing execution of package binaries without global installation.
• Instant Installation and Execution: npx automatically installs and executes packages from the npm registry if the command is not found locally or globally.
• Avoid Global Pollution: npx avoids version conflicts or environmental pollution caused by installing multiple packages globally.
• Test Different Versions: npx can easily test different package versions without modifying project dependencies.

In summary, npm is primarily used as a package installation and management tool, while npx is an auxiliary tool for executing package commands, especially when you don't want or need to permanently install these packages. These two tools are often used together to more effectively develop and manage Node.js projects.