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CodeXPal
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Build Tools and Bundlers

Advanced
140 XP
60 min
Lesson Content

Build Tools and Bundlers

Build tools help transform, bundle, and optimize your JavaScript code for production. Understanding them is essential for modern development.

Package Managers

// npm (Node Package Manager)
npm install package-name
npm install --save-dev package-name

// package.json
{
  "name": "my-app",
  "scripts": {
    "build": "webpack",
    "start": "node server.js"
  },
  "dependencies": {},
  "devDependencies": {}
}

Bundlers

  • Webpack - Module bundler
  • Vite - Fast build tool
  • Parcel - Zero-config bundler

Transpilers

// Babel - Transpiles modern JS to older versions
// TypeScript - Adds types to JavaScript

Task Runners

// npm scripts
"scripts": {
  "build": "webpack --mode production",
  "dev": "webpack --mode development --watch"
}
Example Code

Understand build tool concepts

// Example package.json structure
const packageJson = {
  name: 'my-project',
  version: '1.0.0',
  scripts: {
    start: 'node server.js',
    build: 'webpack --mode production',
    dev: 'webpack --mode development --watch'
  },
  dependencies: {
    'react': '^18.0.0'
  },
  devDependencies: {
    'webpack': '^5.0.0',
    'babel-loader': '^9.0.0'
  }
};

console.log('Package name:', packageJson.name);
console.log('Build script:', packageJson.scripts.build);
console.log('Dependencies:', Object.keys(packageJson.dependencies));

Expected Output:

Package name: my-project
Build script: webpack --mode production
Dependencies: [react]
Study Tips
  • •Read the theory content thoroughly before practicing
  • •Review the example code to understand key concepts
  • •Proceed to the Practice tab when you're ready to code