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Software Engineering vocabulary · Programming Concepts

Package manager

Meaning in software engineering, with examples

nounCommon term

In software engineering, package manager means: A tool that downloads, installs, updates and removes the libraries a project depends on, such as npm for JavaScript or pip for Python.

In Turkish: paket yöneticisi

How it is used

Other examples are Maven and Gradle (Java), NuGet (.NET), Cargo (Rust) and Homebrew (macOS). The package manager reads a file such as package.json and usually writes a lock file, so everyone installs the same versions.

Example sentences

  1. Which package manager does this project use, npm or pnpm?

  2. Install the SDK with your package manager instead of copying the files by hand.

Common collocations

  • install with a package manager
  • lock file
  • package registry
  • package version
  • dependencyA library, service or other piece of software that your code needs in order to work, so a change or failure in it can affect your project.
  • libraryA collection of ready-made code that other programs can use, so that developers don't have to write common things like date handling or HTTP requests themselves.
  • SDKShort for software development kit: a package of libraries, tools and documentation that helps developers build on a platform or use a service.
  • buildThe process of turning source code into a program or package that can run, or the result of that process. Also a verb: to build the project.

More terms: Programming Concepts

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