Difference between package.json and package-lock.json

Howdy friends!!!
It's been a while since I posted an article. In today's episode, we are going to give a clear distinction between package.json and package-lock.json. So without further ado, let's get started

1. Definition

package.json
It is a metadata file that describes the project's dependencies, scripts, configuration, and other details.

package-lock.json
It is a lockfile that provides an exact, deterministic list of all the installed packages and their dependencies, including their exact version numbers.

2. What it does

package.json
It lists the required dependencies and their version ranges, but not the exact versions to be installed.

package-lock.json
It is used to ensure that the same dependencies are installed consistently across different environments and prevent conflicts due to different versions being installed.

3. How it is created

package.json
It is typically created and modified manually by the developer to manage the project's dependencies and configuration.

package-lock.json
It is automatically generated by npm and updated whenever you install or update packages.

4. Modifications

package.json
It can be easily shared and committed to version control systems.

package-lock.json
It is not meant to be manually modified and should be committed to the version control svstem to ensure consistency across all team members.

In conclusion, package.json and package-lock.json are like Batman and Robin, guiding your projects to victory with their synchronized dance routine of dependencies. Embrace their power, master their nuances, and let these JSON superheroes save you from dependency chaos!