How to Install Yarn on CentOS 8: 3 Easy Steps

Yarn is a popular, reliable, and efficient JavaScript package manager that is fully compatible with npm. It simplifies the management of project dependencies, automates processes like installing, updating, and removing npm packages, and ensures consistency across development environments. By addressing common issues in npm, such as slow installation times and network-related errors, Yarn has become a go-to tool for developers worldwide.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to install Yarn on CentOS 8 step by step. We’ll also cover some basic Yarn commands to help you manage your JavaScript projects effectively.

What is Yarn and Why Should You Use It?

Yarn was developed by Facebook to overcome limitations in npm. It provides a faster and more secure way to manage dependencies in JavaScript projects. Here are some of its key advantages:

1. Speed: Yarn installs packages faster by downloading multiple files simultaneously, unlike npm, which processes files sequentially.
2. Reliability: Yarn creates a yarn.lock file to lock dependency versions, ensuring consistent installations across environments.
3. Security: Yarn verifies the integrity of every package before installation, reducing the risk of malicious code.

For developers working with JavaScript, learning how to install Yarn on CentOS 8 can streamline workflows and improve project reliability.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure the following:

• You have a CentOS 8 system with root or sudo privileges.
• A stable internet connection to download packages.

How to Install Yarn on CentOS 8

Step 1: Install Node.js

Yarn requires Node.js to function. While CentOS 8 repositories provide Node.js, the version available may not always be the latest. To install Node.js, run the following command:

sudo dnf install @nodejs

At the time of writing, the default Node.js version in CentOS 8 repositories is v10.x. If you need a newer version, consider using the NodeSource repository or building Node.js from source.

Verify Node.js Installation

After installation, confirm the Node.js version:

node --version

You should also check if npm (Node Package Manager) is installed, as it comes bundled with Node.js:

npm --version

Step 2: Enable the Yarn Repository

To install the latest version of Yarn, you need to enable its official repository. This ensures that you get the most up-to-date and secure version of Yarn. Use the following command to add the Yarn repository to your system:

curl --silent --location https://dl.yarnpkg.com/rpm/yarn.repo | sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/yarn.repo

Next, import the repository’s GPG key to verify the authenticity of the packages:

sudo rpm --import https://dl.yarnpkg.com/rpm/pubkey.gpg

The official Yarn repository is actively maintained and provides stable releases for a seamless experience.

Step 3: Install Yarn

Once the repository is enabled, install Yarn using the dnf package manager:

sudo dnf install yarn

This command will download and install Yarn along with its dependencies.

Verify Yarn Installation

After the installation completes, check the Yarn version to ensure it was installed correctly:

yarn --version

At the time of writing, the latest version of Yarn is 1.21.1. If you see a version number, it means Yarn is successfully installed and ready to use.

Using Yarn: Basic Commands

Now that Yarn is installed, let’s explore some essential commands to help you manage your JavaScript projects.

1. Create a New Project

To create a new Yarn project, use the yarn init command followed by the project name. For example:

yarn init my_project

Yarn will prompt you to answer several questions about the project, such as its name, version, description, and author. You can press Enter to accept the default values or provide custom inputs. Once completed, Yarn generates a package.json file with the project details.

If you want to initialize a project in an existing directory, navigate to the directory and run:

yarn init

2. Add Dependencies

To add a package as a dependency to your project, use the yarn add command followed by the package name. For example, to add Lodash:

yarn add lodash

This command:

• Installs the specified package and its dependencies.
• Updates the package.json file to include the package.
• Creates or updates the yarn.lock file to lock dependency versions.

You can also specify a specific version or tag:

yarn add lodash@4.17.21

3. Upgrade Dependencies

To upgrade a specific package to its latest version, use:

yarn upgrade [package_name]

To upgrade to a specific version, include the version number:

yarn upgrade lodash@4.18.0

4. Remove Dependencies

To remove a package from your project, run:

yarn remove [package_name]

This command updates both the package.json and yarn.lock files to reflect the changes.

5. Install All Project Dependencies

If you’ve cloned a project and need to install all its dependencies, navigate to the project directory and run:

yarn

Alternatively, you can use:

yarn install

This command reads the package.json and yarn.lock files and installs all required packages.

Advanced Yarn Features

Here are some additional features of Yarn that can enhance your workflow:

1. Offline Mode: Yarn allows you to install packages without an internet connection if they’ve been installed previously. Use the --offline flag: yarn install --offline
2. Global Packages: Install packages globally using: yarn global add [package_name]
3. Workspaces: Yarn supports managing multiple projects in a single repository using workspaces. This is especially useful for monorepos.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Node.js Version Incompatibility: If the default Node.js version in CentOS 8 is outdated, consider using the NodeSource repository for a newer version.
• Permission Errors: Use sudo for commands that require elevated privileges.
• Network Issues: Ensure your system has a stable internet connection when downloading packages.

Conclusion

In this guide, we’ve detailed how to install Yarn on CentOS 8, starting with Node.js installation, enabling the Yarn repository, and verifying the installation. We’ve also covered essential Yarn commands for managing JavaScript project dependencies.

Yarn is a powerful tool that enhances speed, reliability, and security in your development workflow. By following this guide, you’re well-equipped to use Yarn effectively for your projects.

For more advanced features and updates, visit the official Yarn documentation. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below. Happy coding!