Code used for production is not the same as that used for development. In production, developers build packages that automate tasks, manage dependencies, load external modules, run fast and do more. The tools that make development codes enough fluid to function as production codes are known as build tools. Frontend web developers use the following build tools:

Ø  Task runners

Ø  Module loaders

Ø  Module bundlers

Ø  Package managers

In this article, we will discuss the 3 best build tools that web developers use for frontend development. Keep in mind that these tools don’t feature a graphical user interface and instead, run in the command line.

NPM (Package Manager)

NPM is the condensed form of Node Package Maid. As soon as you install Node.js, NPM is installed on your computer by default. It is easily accessible from your command line interface. With NPM, a single command input is all that you need to install the Node.js package.

The NPM registry contains all existing Node.js packages. You can easily access the registry through the search bar that you will find on top of the NPM’s webpage. Just input the package name in the search bar and you will be directed to the required page that includes all information you want to know about the package, its dependencies and installation process.

Highlights:

Ø  Literally innumerable packages

Ø  Easy to install

Ø  Cross-platform software including Windows, Linux, SmarOS, MacOs and more

Ø  Multiple options for configuration through the command line

Ø  Efficient dependency management

Ø  Extensive documentation

Ø  Helpful community

GRUNT (Task Runner)

Grunt, a front-end desk runner, lets you automate repetitive work (for example, minification, testing, linting and others). Task runners are not as same as package managers; they don’t allow you to manage dependencies. These help automate the same work that you need to perform during each development process.

Grunt is automatically installed when you install Node.js or any Node.js package manager in your system.

Highlights: 

Ø  Cross-platform command line tool

Ø  Straightforward configuration procedure

Ø  Hundreds of plugins to add fronted tools including ReqireJS, Saas, JSHint, Jade, Handlebars and others to complete the pre-configured works

Ø  Asynchronous tasks if required

Ø  Extensive Documentation

Ø  Widely adopted

YARN (Package Manager)

You can use Yarn as an alternative to NPM. It is a Node.js package and therefore, you have to install Node.js first in order to use Yarn. Follow the installation guide to use the tool for frontend dependencies management.

Though Yarn is a helpful tool, it takes time to build packages. If you don’t have plenty of dependencies to install, it won’t cause much problem.

Highlights:

Ø  Cross-platform tool

Ø  Compatibility with all Node.js packages

Ø  Quick build times

Ø  Offline mode

Ø  Flat mode to avoid duplicates

Ø  Additional security to verify package integrity                                                                           

A web development company in Kolkata uses advanced tools for frontend and backend development. You can get the best from the professionals only so stick to your demand of perfection that you need for the whole development.