preferred-pm vs npm-which vs npm-check-updates vs npm-check vs npm-install-peers
NPM Package Management Utilities Comparison
1 Year
preferred-pmnpm-whichnpm-check-updatesnpm-checknpm-install-peersSimilar Packages:
What's NPM Package Management Utilities?

These npm packages serve various purposes in managing and maintaining dependencies in Node.js projects. They help developers ensure their packages are up-to-date, manage peer dependencies, locate executables, and streamline the package manager experience. Each package has its unique functionality that enhances the development workflow, making it easier to maintain a healthy and efficient project environment.

Package Weekly Downloads Trend
Github Stars Ranking
Stat Detail
Package
Downloads
Stars
Size
Issues
Publish
License
preferred-pm1,983,0851025.04 kB283 months agoMIT
npm-which643,81878-19 years agoMIT
npm-check-updates511,5139,7565.55 MB8122 days agoApache-2.0
npm-check350,0106,62494.1 kB235-MIT
npm-install-peers35,29319511.5 kB1-MIT
Feature Comparison: preferred-pm vs npm-which vs npm-check-updates vs npm-check vs npm-install-peers

Dependency Management

  • preferred-pm:

    preferred-pm allows you to specify your preferred package manager for your project, ensuring that all team members and CI/CD environments use the same tool. This consistency helps avoid issues related to different package manager behaviors and improves collaboration.

  • npm-which:

    npm-which helps you locate the paths of executables installed in your npm environment. This is crucial for debugging issues related to scripts and ensuring that the correct binaries are being executed, especially in complex projects with multiple dependencies.

  • npm-check-updates:

    npm-check-updates focuses on updating your package.json file to the latest versions of dependencies without installing them. This is particularly useful for developers who want to plan their upgrades and assess compatibility before making changes to their project.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check provides a comprehensive overview of your project's dependencies, allowing you to see which ones are outdated, unused, or incorrectly installed. It helps maintain a clean project by identifying packages that can be removed or updated, thus improving overall project health.

  • npm-install-peers:

    npm-install-peers automates the installation of peer dependencies, which can often be a source of confusion and errors in projects. By ensuring that all required peer dependencies are installed, it simplifies the setup process and reduces the risk of runtime errors due to missing dependencies.

User Interaction

  • preferred-pm:

    preferred-pm is a configuration tool that operates without user interaction, allowing developers to set their preferred package manager once and have it respected throughout the project. This reduces friction when switching between different environments.

  • npm-which:

    npm-which is a command-line utility that provides straightforward output, showing the paths of executables without additional user interaction. It is designed for quick lookups and debugging, making it easy to find the right binaries when needed.

  • npm-check-updates:

    npm-check-updates operates in a more automated fashion, focusing on updating the package.json file rather than providing an interactive experience. It is designed for developers who prefer to manage updates programmatically rather than through a user interface.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check offers an interactive command-line interface that allows users to easily navigate through their dependencies, making decisions about updates and removals straightforward. This user-friendly approach enhances the developer experience by providing immediate feedback and options.

  • npm-install-peers:

    npm-install-peers runs silently in the background, automatically installing peer dependencies without user interaction. This is beneficial for developers who want to streamline their setup process and avoid manual installation errors.

Installation Process

  • preferred-pm:

    preferred-pm is easy to set up and requires minimal configuration. Once established, it ensures that the specified package manager is used consistently throughout the project.

  • npm-which:

    npm-which is lightweight and does not require any setup beyond installation. It can be invoked at any time to quickly find executable paths, making it a handy tool for debugging and development.

  • npm-check-updates:

    npm-check-updates can be run at any time to update the package.json file, making it a flexible tool for managing dependency versions. It does not install packages, allowing developers to control when to apply updates.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check requires an initial setup to run, but once configured, it provides a seamless experience for checking and managing dependencies. It integrates well into the development workflow, making it easy to keep dependencies in check.

  • npm-install-peers:

    npm-install-peers simplifies the installation of peer dependencies, which can often be overlooked. By automating this process, it reduces the likelihood of errors and ensures that all necessary dependencies are present before running the project.

Use Cases

  • preferred-pm:

    preferred-pm is suited for projects that involve multiple developers or environments, ensuring that everyone is using the same package manager. This consistency helps avoid issues related to different package manager behaviors.

  • npm-which:

    npm-which is beneficial for developers who need to troubleshoot issues related to executable paths in their projects. It helps ensure that the correct binaries are being used, which is essential for running scripts and commands successfully.

  • npm-check-updates:

    npm-check-updates is perfect for teams that want to keep their dependencies up-to-date without the immediate need to install new versions. It allows for careful planning and testing before applying updates, which is crucial in production environments.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check is ideal for developers who want to maintain a clean and efficient project by regularly checking for outdated and unused dependencies. It is especially useful in larger projects where dependency management can become complex.

  • npm-install-peers:

    npm-install-peers is particularly useful when working with libraries that have strict peer dependency requirements. It ensures that all necessary dependencies are installed, reducing the risk of compatibility issues during development.

Community and Support

  • preferred-pm:

    preferred-pm has a niche audience but is appreciated for its simplicity and effectiveness in managing package manager preferences. Users can find support through its documentation and community forums.

  • npm-which:

    npm-which is a straightforward utility with a focus on functionality rather than community engagement. It is well-documented, making it easy for users to understand and utilize its features effectively.

  • npm-check-updates:

    npm-check-updates is widely used and has a solid user base, which contributes to its ongoing development and support. Users can find ample resources and community support for troubleshooting and best practices.

  • npm-check:

    npm-check has a strong community and is frequently updated, providing users with ongoing support and improvements. Its popularity in the npm ecosystem ensures that it remains relevant and reliable for dependency management.

  • npm-install-peers:

    npm-install-peers is a specialized tool with a smaller community, but it is well-maintained and provides essential functionality for managing peer dependencies. Users can rely on its documentation for guidance.

How to Choose: preferred-pm vs npm-which vs npm-check-updates vs npm-check vs npm-install-peers
  • preferred-pm:

    Choose preferred-pm if you want to manage your package manager preference in a multi-package manager environment. This package allows you to specify which package manager (npm, yarn, etc.) to use for your project, making it easier to maintain consistency across different development setups.

  • npm-which:

    Use npm-which if you need to find the location of executables in your npm environment. It helps you locate the path of installed binaries, which is essential for debugging and ensuring that your scripts run correctly in different environments.

  • npm-check-updates:

    Opt for npm-check-updates if your primary goal is to upgrade your package.json dependencies to the latest versions without installing them immediately. This package is ideal for developers who want to see which packages can be updated and plan their upgrades accordingly, especially in larger projects.

  • npm-check:

    Choose npm-check if you want an interactive way to check for outdated, incorrect, and unused dependencies in your project. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing your packages and can help you clean up your project by removing unused dependencies.

  • npm-install-peers:

    Select npm-install-peers when you need to automatically install peer dependencies for your project. This package is particularly useful when working with libraries that require specific peer dependencies, ensuring that your project remains compatible without manual intervention.

README for preferred-pm

preferred-pm

Returns the preferred package manager of a project

npm version

  • Inside a Yarn workspace, Yarn is preferred.
  • Inside a pnpm workspace, pnpm is preferred.
  • If a package-lock.json is present, npm is preferred.
  • If a yarn.lock is present, Yarn is preferred.
  • If a pnpm-lock.yaml is present, pnpm is preferred.
  • If a bun.lockb is present, Bun is preferred.
  • If a node_modules is present, tries to detect which package manager installed it.

Installation

<pnpm|yarn|npm|bun> add preferred-pm

Usage

'use strict'
const preferredPM = require('preferred-pm')

preferredPM(process.cwd())
    .then(pm => console.log(pm))
//> {name: "npm", version: ">=5"}

Related

  • which-pm - Detects what package manager was used for installation
  • which-pm-runs - Detects what package manager executes the process

License

MIT © Zoltan Kochan