What is the difference between local and global module in Node.js? When to use local and global module?

Question

We can access local module using require function but cannot access global module through it. I read somewhere that to use global module we need to make it local then import it through require function. So if we cannot access global module directly, then what is the need of using it.

Answer 1

You should:

• Install a module locally if you're going to require() it.
• Install a module globally if you're going to run it on the command line.

Answer 2

A general use of global node module to my experience will be:

If all my applications that uses that same node module (of the same version or I do not care which version , latest is fine for me), then I will install that node-module globally. One good example.example will be node module that I use it for testing -- e.g. mocha.

Answer 3

I think in my opinion the modules which you are going to require in your code must be in local to your project or you can say must be present in your node_modules directory

and the modules which works as command must be installed globally. examples are exress-generator,jsdocs,mocha