Vendor Directories
Vendor directories are folders in software projects, typically named 'vendor' or 'lib', that store third-party dependencies, libraries, or packages locally within the project's source code. This approach centralizes external code, making it easier to manage, version control, and deploy without relying on external package managers or network access during builds. It is commonly used in languages like PHP (with Composer), Go, and older web development practices to ensure consistency and isolation.
Developers should use vendor directories when working in environments with strict dependency management, offline development, or legacy systems where package managers are unavailable or unreliable. It is particularly useful for ensuring reproducible builds, as all dependencies are bundled with the project, reducing the risk of version conflicts or broken builds due to external changes. This concept is essential for maintaining project stability in scenarios like deployment to servers without internet access or in regulated industries.