Package Manager
A package manager is a software tool that automates the process of installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages or dependencies in a computing environment. It handles package metadata, versioning, and dependency resolution to ensure consistent and reproducible builds. Package managers are essential for managing libraries, frameworks, and applications in modern development workflows.
Developers should use package managers to streamline dependency management, reduce manual installation errors, and ensure project reproducibility across different environments. They are crucial for handling complex dependencies in web development (e.g., npm for JavaScript), system administration (e.g., apt for Linux), and language-specific ecosystems (e.g., pip for Python). Learning a package manager improves efficiency and collaboration in team projects.