Is it common for the version of the package lock file to fluctuate within a team?

In the scenario at hand, a new Developer A has updated npm to version 8.3. After cloning the repository, npm prompts that the package.lock file needs to be upgraded from lockFile format version 1 to version 2. Following this prompt, Developer A checks in the changes. As a result, all other developers who pull down the repository will now have a lock file with format version 2.

Time passes without any issues until Developer B, who is using npm version 6.13, installs a package. Is it expected for the lock file to revert back to version 1 from version 2? Essentially, does the lockfileVersion format change whenever a developer with a different npm version, utilizing a different format, updates or installs a package? Or should it consistently remain on lockFileVersion 2?

I am trying to investigate recent events concerning our packages and ruling out this as a potential problem.

Based on my understanding, lockFileVersion 2 is intended to be backward compatible. However, should it fluctuate between versions like this? Logically, I would assume that once upgraded to version 2, it should remain as such - otherwise, how could someone using version 2 (Developer A) resort back to version 1 when the initial upgrade was required?

Therefore, is my assumption accurate that once on version 2, it should retain that status? If so, what circumstances might lead to it reverting to version 1?

Thank you

Answer №1

It's not exactly the norm for developers to constantly switch between versions like that, but it does happen quite frequently. We experienced a similar situation with the package-lock.json file, prompting us to recommend an upgrade and ensuring all our build agents followed suit. Likewise, there were instances where developers in Visual Studio solutions kept toggling between versions 2017 and 2019 until we advised them to stick with the latter.

In general, it's advisable to steer clear of such practices if possible.

Answer №2

Following extensive research, numerous teams recommend that developers refrain from utilizing npm i for package installation based on the package.json definition, and instead opt for npm ci (referred to as a "clean slate") utilizing the package-lock.json file. This approach guarantees consistency in the versions of packages located within everyone's node_modules directory, rather than pulling the latest versions from the NPM registry at the time of download.

To implement this strategy successfully, it is crucial to commit the lock file to the code repository and establish strict guidelines regarding who may update it and when. Any deviation from this procedure, such as a developer using npm i and committing the file, will render the process ineffective.

According to the official documentation, it is recommended that "This file is intended to be committed into source repositories", a practice followed by many individuals. However, it assumes that all team members are aware of the necessity to use the ci command instead of i or install.

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