Unraveling the Distinction: Understanding Dependencies and Dev Dependencies in Node.js

The management of packages and libraries in a Node.js project relies heavily on understanding the differences between dependencies and dev dependencies. Both types have indispensable roles to play in ensuring seamless operation.
In this piece, we’ll analyze those distinctions through examples to enrich our understanding even further.
Dependencies( The Backbone of Production) are the lifeblood of a Node.js application, as they encompass the packages and libraries necessary for its seamless operation within a production environment. They are indispensable for the functionality and execution of the application. Notable examples of dependencies include Axios,web-vitals, and react-redux.
To highlight the role of dependencies, consider a simple React App utilized by front-end developers. The following example showcases the dependencies listed in the JSON format within the package.json file:

In the above scenario, when someone clones the project they only need to execute npm install, and in turn all dependencies specified in the package.json, such as react-router-dom, will be automatically installed.

On the other hand, dev dependencies(Empower Development and Testing) are employed during the development and testing phases of a Node.js project. Unlike dependencies, they are not essential for the actual execution of the application within a production environment. Examples of dev dependencies include testing frameworks like Jest, build tools like Webpack and Babel, as well as code quality tools such as ESLint.
To exemplify the usage of dev dependencies, let’s consider a simple React App tailored to front-end developers. The subsequent example showcases the dev dependencies listed in the JSON format within the package.json file:

Here, While ESlint isn’t necessary for the application’s production environment, it plays a crucial role during production by regulating the quality of code that will be delivered. Collaborators working on the project can install the dependencies via npm install, but to install the dev dependencies, they would need to execute npm install --dev or npm install --only=dev.
In summary, dependencies are indispensable for an application’s proper functioning within a production environment contrary to dev dependencies which are exclusively required during the development and testing phases.