package.json Documentation 📖

Welcome to the documentation for package.json! This page provides detailed information about the structure and values of the package.json file, which serves as the heart of any package on our platform.

Overview

The package.json file is an essential component of packages, acting as a manifest containing metadata about the package itself, its dependencies, and other vital details.

Basic Structure 🏗️

Below is the structure of an empty package.json:

{
    "name": "",
    "author": "",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "description": "",
    "require": {}
}

Required Fields & Restrictions 📏

Every field in the package.json file is mandatory. Here are the specific requirements for each:

  • name: Your package's unique name. Should be 3 to 15 characters long.
  • author: The username of the package's creator, which is typically you.
  • version: The current version of your package. Update this with every release.
  • description: A concise description of your package's purpose and functionality. It can be left empty, but if filled, should not surpass 50 characters.
  • require: This is where you list any other packages your software relies on. It can be left as an empty object {}, but when dependencies exist, they should be specified here.

Note: The require field is vital for specifying dependencies. Ensure you list all necessary packages here.

Tip: For smooth compatibility and approval on our platform, always follow the above guidelines when populating your package.json.

A Deeper Dive into Dependencies

To help you understand dependencies, consider this example:

{
    "name": "magicwand",
    "author": "merlin",
    "description": "A tool for all your magical needs",
    "version": "1.0.2",
    "require": {
        "merlin/spellbook": ">=1.2"
    }
}

Here, the magicwand package relies on another package named spellbook by merlin. It requires at least version 1.2 or higher of spellbook.

About Versioning

When we discuss versions, we're referring to "semantic versioning". It provides a structured way to number versions, enabling users to quickly discern significant updates, minor changes, or bug fixes from the version number alone.