Node.js NPM & Package Management

Question 1

What is the purpose of package.json in a Node.js project?

Accepted Answer

To define project metadata, dependencies, scripts, and configuration

Answer

To store application runtime data in JSON format

Answer

To configure the Node.js runtime environment settings

Answer

To define database schemas in JSON

Question 2

What is the difference between dependencies and devDependencies in package.json?

Accepted Answer

Dependencies are needed at runtime; devDependencies are only needed during development

Answer

There is no practical difference between them

Answer

DevDependencies are installed globally; dependencies are local

Answer

Dependencies are optional; devDependencies are required

Question 3

What does 'npm install --save-exact' do?

Accepted Answer

Installs the package and saves the exact version number without any range prefix

Answer

Installs the package exactly once, preventing duplicates

Answer

Saves the exact file size of the installed package

Answer

Installs only the exact files needed, excluding documentation

Question 4

What is the purpose of package-lock.json?

Accepted Answer

To lock the exact versions of all installed dependencies and their sub-dependencies

Answer

To prevent unauthorized access to the package registry

Answer

To lock the project so no new packages can be added

Answer

To store encrypted passwords for npm registry access

Question 5

What is semantic versioning (semver) in npm?

Accepted Answer

A versioning scheme using MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH where each number indicates the type of change

Answer

A version naming system using alphabetical codenames

Answer

A system that versions packages by date of release

Answer

A random version assignment system used by npm

Question 6

What does the caret (^) prefix mean in a package.json version?

Accepted Answer

Allow updates that do not modify the left-most non-zero digit

Answer

Install exactly this version and nothing else

Answer

Install any version greater than this number

Answer

The package is deprecated and should not be used