Introduction
Node Package Manager (npm) is a package manager for the JavaScript programming language. npm makes it easy to install, update, and manage packages for your Node.js applications. npm packages can be installed globally, meaning they are available to any project on your system, or locally, meaning they are only available within a specific project.
In some cases, you may want to remove a globally installed package because it is no longer needed, or because you have installed a newer version of the package. In this article, we will show you how to uninstall a global npm package, with code examples.
How to Uninstall a Global npm Package
There are two ways to uninstall a global npm package: using the npm command-line interface (CLI), or using the npm API programmatically.
Using the npm CLI
To uninstall a global npm package using the npm CLI, use the following command:
npm uninstall -g <package_name>
For example, to uninstall the http-server package, use the following command:
npm uninstall -g http-server
Using the npm API
You can also uninstall a global npm package programmatically using the npm API. To do this, you will need to use the child_process module in Node.js to run the npm command from within your code.
Here is an example of how to uninstall a global npm package using the npm API:
const { exec } = require("child_process");
exec("npm uninstall -g http-server", (error, stdout, stderr) => {
if (error) {
console.error(`exec error: ${error}`);
return;
}
console.log(`stdout: ${stdout}`);
console.error(`stderr: ${stderr}`);
});
In this example, the exec function is used to run the npm uninstall -g http-server command. If the command succeeds, the stdout and stderr outputs are logged to the console. If there is an error, it is logged to the console as well.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to uninstall a global npm package using the npm CLI or the npm API. Whether you are using the command-line interface or writing code to uninstall a package programmatically, the process is straightforward and easy to do. If you have any questions or need help with npm, be sure to consult the npm documentation or reach out to the npm community for support.
Installing a Global npm Package
To install a global npm package, you can use the following command:
npm install -g <package_name>
For example, to install the http-server package globally, use the following command:
npm install -g http-server
It is important to note that installing packages globally can sometimes cause issues with package version compatibility and can lead to conflicts between different projects on your system. In general, it is recommended to install packages locally within your project, unless you have a specific reason for needing the package to be installed globally.
Updating a Global npm Package
To update a global npm package, you can use the following command:
npm update -g <package_name>
For example, to update the http-server package globally, use the following command:
npm update -g http-server
This command will check for the latest version of the package and install it if a newer version is available. If the package is already up-to-date, you will receive a message indicating that the package is at the latest version.
Installing a Local npm Package
To install a local npm package, navigate to the root directory of your project and use the following command:
npm install <package_name>
For example, to install the request package locally, use the following command:
npm install request
This command will download the latest version of the package and install it within the node_modules directory of your project. The package will be available for use within your project, but will not be available globally on your system.
Updating a Local npm Package
To update a local npm package, navigate to the root directory of your project and use the following command:
npm update <package_name>
For example, to update the request package locally, use the following command:
npm update request
This command will check for the latest version of the package and install it if a newer version is available. If the package is already up-to-date, you will receive a message indicating that the package is at the latest version.
In conclusion, npm makes it easy to manage packages for your Node.js applications, whether you are installing packages globally or locally. By using the npm CLI or the npm API, you can easily install, update, and uninstall packages as needed.
Popular questions
- How do you uninstall a global npm package using the command-line interface?
Answer: To uninstall a global npm package using the command-line interface, you can use the following command:
npm uninstall -g <package_name>
- Can you uninstall a global npm package programmatically using the npm API?
Answer: Yes, you can uninstall a global npm package programmatically using the npm API by using the child_process module in Node.js to run the npm command from within your code.
- What is the command to install a local npm package?
Answer: To install a local npm package, you can use the following command:
npm install <package_name>
- What is the difference between installing a package globally and locally in npm?
Answer: When you install a package globally in npm, it is available to any project on your system. When you install a package locally, it is only available within a specific project. In general, it is recommended to install packages locally, unless you have a specific reason for needing the package to be installed globally.
- How do you update a local npm package?
Answer: To update a local npm package, you can use the following command:
npm update <package_name>
Tag
Uninstalling
