minimist vs optionator
Command Line Argument Parsers Comparison
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What's Command Line Argument Parsers?

Command line argument parsers are essential tools in Node.js applications that facilitate the handling of user inputs from the command line. They allow developers to define expected options and arguments, making it easier to build interactive command line interfaces (CLIs). By providing a structured way to parse and manage command line inputs, these libraries enhance the usability and functionality of CLI applications. Minimist and Optionator are two popular packages that cater to this need, each with its unique features and design philosophies.

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minimist81,448,05761654.5 kB142 years agoMIT
optionator69,142,48116350.2 kB12a year agoMIT
Feature Comparison: minimist vs optionator

Simplicity

  • minimist:

    Minimist is designed for simplicity and ease of use. It allows for quick parsing of command line arguments with minimal setup, making it perfect for small scripts or one-off tasks. Its API is straightforward, requiring only a single function call to parse arguments.

  • optionator:

    Optionator offers a more comprehensive approach to argument parsing, providing a rich set of features such as validation, default values, and help generation. While it may require more initial configuration, it is well-suited for larger applications that need more robust command line interfaces.

Feature Set

  • minimist:

    Minimist focuses on the core functionality of parsing command line arguments with support for short and long options. It does not include advanced features like validation or help generation, making it lightweight but limited in scope.

  • optionator:

    Optionator provides an extensive feature set, including support for complex option definitions, automatic help generation, and validation of argument types. This makes it a powerful choice for applications that require detailed command line interfaces.

Customization

  • minimist:

    Minimist offers minimal customization options, as it is designed to be a straightforward parser. Developers looking for a quick solution without the need for extensive customization will find it suitable.

  • optionator:

    Optionator excels in customization, allowing developers to define detailed option specifications, including types, default values, and custom help messages. This flexibility is beneficial for applications with complex command line requirements.

Learning Curve

  • minimist:

    Minimist has a gentle learning curve, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels. Its simplicity allows new users to quickly grasp how to parse command line arguments without extensive documentation.

  • optionator:

    Optionator has a steeper learning curve due to its more complex feature set. Developers may need to invest time in understanding its API and capabilities, but this investment pays off in the form of a more powerful CLI.

Use Cases

  • minimist:

    Minimist is ideal for simple scripts, quick utilities, or projects where command line argument parsing is minimal. It's perfect for developers who need to get something up and running quickly without unnecessary complexity.

  • optionator:

    Optionator is best suited for larger applications or tools that require a comprehensive command line interface with multiple options and arguments. It's a great choice for developers building complex CLI tools that demand detailed user input.

How to Choose: minimist vs optionator
  • minimist:

    Choose Minimist if you need a lightweight solution for simple command line argument parsing without the overhead of additional features. It's ideal for small scripts or applications where minimal configuration is required.

Similar Npm Packages to minimist

minimist is a popular npm package used for parsing command-line arguments in Node.js applications. It provides a simple and lightweight way to handle arguments passed to scripts, allowing developers to easily access and manipulate command-line inputs. While minimist is a great choice for basic argument parsing, there are several alternatives that offer additional features and capabilities. Here are a few noteworthy alternatives:

  • argparse is a powerful library for building command-line interfaces in Node.js. It provides a rich set of features, including support for subcommands, argument types, and automatic help generation. argparse is particularly useful for more complex command-line applications that require detailed argument validation and user guidance. If your project involves a sophisticated CLI with various options and commands, argparse is an excellent choice.
  • commander is another widely-used library for creating command-line applications in Node.js. It offers a simple and intuitive API for defining commands, options, and arguments. commander is known for its ease of use and flexibility, making it suitable for both small scripts and larger applications. If you are looking for a library that balances simplicity with powerful features, commander is a great option.
  • yargs is a robust library for parsing command-line arguments and building interactive command-line tools. It offers a rich set of features, including support for middleware, command chaining, and automatic help generation. yargs is particularly useful for applications that require a more interactive user experience or complex argument parsing. If your CLI needs to handle a variety of commands and options, yargs provides a comprehensive solution.

To see how minimist compares with argparse, commander, and yargs, check out the comparison: Comparing argparse vs commander vs minimist vs yargs.

Similar Npm Packages to optionator

optionator is a command-line argument parser for Node.js applications. It provides a simple and flexible way to define and parse command-line options, making it easier for developers to handle user input in their CLI applications. With its intuitive API, optionator allows for the definition of options with various types, default values, and help descriptions, making it a popular choice for building robust command-line interfaces. However, there are several alternatives available that also offer command-line argument parsing capabilities. Here are a few notable ones:

  • commander is a widely-used library for building command-line interfaces in Node.js. It provides a comprehensive set of features for defining commands, options, and arguments, along with built-in help generation. commander is particularly well-suited for applications that require a more structured command hierarchy, allowing developers to create complex CLI applications with ease. Its extensive documentation and community support make it a go-to choice for many developers.
  • minimist is a minimalist library for parsing command-line arguments in Node.js. It focuses on simplicity and speed, making it ideal for small scripts or applications that require basic argument parsing without the overhead of more complex libraries. minimist is straightforward to use and can quickly convert command-line arguments into an object, making it a great choice for developers looking for a lightweight solution.
  • yargs is another powerful command-line argument parser that provides a rich set of features for building interactive command-line applications. It supports advanced features like command chaining, argument validation, and middleware, making it suitable for more complex CLI applications. yargs also offers a user-friendly API and built-in help generation, making it easy for developers to create polished command-line interfaces.

To explore how optionator compares with commander, minimist, and yargs, check out the comparison: Comparing commander vs minimist vs optionator vs yargs.

README for minimist

minimist Version Badge

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parse argument options

This module is the guts of optimist's argument parser without all the fanciful decoration.

example

var argv = require('minimist')(process.argv.slice(2));
console.log(argv);

$ node example/parse.js -a beep -b boop
{ _: [], a: 'beep', b: 'boop' }

$ node example/parse.js -x 3 -y 4 -n5 -abc --beep=boop foo bar baz
{
	_: ['foo', 'bar', 'baz'],
	x: 3,
	y: 4,
	n: 5,
	a: true,
	b: true,
	c: true,
	beep: 'boop'
}

security

Previous versions had a prototype pollution bug that could cause privilege escalation in some circumstances when handling untrusted user input.

Please use version 1.2.6 or later:

  • https://security.snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-MINIMIST-2429795 (version <=1.2.5)
  • https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-MINIMIST-559764 (version <=1.2.3)

methods

var parseArgs = require('minimist')

var argv = parseArgs(args, opts={})

Return an argument object argv populated with the array arguments from args.

argv._ contains all the arguments that didn't have an option associated with them.

Numeric-looking arguments will be returned as numbers unless opts.string or opts.boolean is set for that argument name.

Any arguments after '--' will not be parsed and will end up in argv._.

options can be:

  • opts.string - a string or array of strings argument names to always treat as strings

  • opts.boolean - a boolean, string or array of strings to always treat as booleans. if true will treat all double hyphenated arguments without equal signs as boolean (e.g. affects --foo, not -f or --foo=bar)

  • opts.alias - an object mapping string names to strings or arrays of string argument names to use as aliases

  • opts.default - an object mapping string argument names to default values

  • opts.stopEarly - when true, populate argv._ with everything after the first non-option

  • opts['--'] - when true, populate argv._ with everything before the -- and argv['--'] with everything after the --. Here's an example:

    > require('./')('one two three -- four five --six'.split(' '), { '--': true })
{
  _: ['one', 'two', 'three'],
  '--': ['four', 'five', '--six']
}

    Note that with opts['--'] set, parsing for arguments still stops after the --.

  • opts.unknown - a function which is invoked with a command line parameter not defined in the opts configuration object. If the function returns false, the unknown option is not added to argv.

install

With npm do:

npm install minimist

license

MIT

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