A software package is a bundled collection of code, resources, and metadata that can be installed and used by a system or application. Packages allow developers to distribute reusable components such as libraries, tools, or frameworks. Each package includes version information, dependencies, and installation instructions. Package managers automate the process of retrieving and updating packages, ensuring projects have a consistent environment. Software packages reduce duplication by enabling teams to share commonly needed functionality.
how it works
When a developer installs a package, a package manager such as npm downloads it from a central registry. Packages often depend on other packages, forming dependency trees managed automatically. The project’s configuration file declares which packages are required, and lockfiles preserve exact versions for reproducibility. Packages may include source code, compiled binaries, configuration files, or scripts. Proper versioning and semantic rules help prevent breakages when updating packages. Understanding software packages is essential for managing modern development workflows.