Why you should version your Node dependencies using tilde

I’m going to assume you’re already familiar with SemVer and the NPM tilde extension. If not, get your eye holes around those links, particularly the second one.

Ever since I’ve been working on David I’ve seen a lot of version numbers for node projects. I’ve also authored a few npm packages and node projects myself. I find it hard understand why you wouldn’t use tilde to specify the versions of your dependencies. For example:

~1.0.2

This is shorthand for >= 1.0.2 < 1.1.0. It is saying: If the major or minor version increases then I need to retest my code to check it works on the new version, so don’t depend on that. Although, if there are bug fixes, I want them, and whilst I understand that a bugfix release could break my software, it isn’t meant to, so I’m willing to take the gamble.

The idea is that you’re allowing your dependencies to “self update” within a range that is safe to do so. This is really powerful and you should be using it.

I’ve seen a lot of absolute versions for dependencies, which is fine (you know who you are, you have your reasons), but I also see a lot of reckless version ranges: “>= 0.3.14″, “*”, “latest” which are just mad. How can you possibly know your code will still work as your dependencies transition between major and minor version numbers?

13 thoughts on “Why you should version your Node dependencies using tilde

  1. Excellent weblog here! Additionally your website a lot up
    very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your associate hyperlink for your host?
    I desire my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  2. “What ya lifting now?” His dad asks as he fidgets on the commode seat. He can feel his hard-on growing in his pants. gay sex porn “This is what a man looks like son.” His father says as his pants fall to the floor. From his waist out pops his representation of a 40-year-old-man. And father of two teenage boys. His cock.

  3. “I bet you got some stares from the other boys in the locker room.” His dad adds. “You couldn’t miss it.” “What?’ He balks at the suggestion from his dad.

  4. “This is what a man looks like son.” His father says as his pants fall to the floor. From his waist out pops his representation of a 40-year-old-man. And father of two teenage boys. His cock. “What are ya now by the way?”

  5. His father loosens his grip on the full balls of his son as he stands. He can see the spurts of hair that dot the chest of his son. And he can see the heaving and gentle rise and fall of his son’s chest as he breathes as his excitement builds. “Yeah.” He answers his dad. “…and I was ‘going commando’ too.”

  6. “I thought you usually showered after practice. In the locker room.” His dad asks as he walks into the open door of the bathroom.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>