Create-react-app: Do we have to install prop-types library when we are using create-react-app, or it already includes it?
Hi,
Do we have to install prop-types library when we are using create-react-app, or it already includes it?
I’m asking because, after ejecting i can’t see prop-types library neither in dependencies or devDependencies, but if i use it in the project without installing it, it works perfectly and isn’t throwing any errors that prop-types library isn’t installed.
We are recording React tutorial using create react app and knowing precise answer for this question, would be great.
Thanks!
DimiMikadze
All 9 comments
It's included by React.
Answering your question: you may not install it, but IDE/ESLint might complain about using transitive dependencies.
miraage
on 6 Feb 2018
@miraage
That's weird because prop-types documentation on Github, is saying nothing about it, in fact in Installation section it says npm install --save prop-types. I don't understand why would someone need to run npm install --save prop-types if it already comes with React and if it works only with React ?
DimiMikadze
on 6 Feb 2018
Well, it could be weird. Depends on our point of view. If you ask me I find using transitive dependencies pretty weird, because I prefer strict control over dependencies tree. Meanwhile another person might not find it helpful.
miraage
on 6 Feb 2018
@miraage agreed, thanks!
DimiMikadze
on 6 Feb 2018
You should never rely on transitive dependencies. For example if React uses PropTypes internally (without exposing them), it could potentially remove them or change their major version, and do so in a patch release. This is safe if they’re not exposed.
Therefore you should never rely on other packages’ transitive dependencies just “being there”. Always explicitly install them (and add them to package.json) to avoid them breaking.
gaearon
on 6 Feb 2018
@gaearon understood, thanks!
DimiMikadze
on 6 Feb 2018
i ran into an error after installing prop-types. I'm new to react and I'm using react 16 any help here?
davidshare
on 23 Feb 2018
davidshare
on 23 Feb 2018
@davidshare looks like you hit a npm bug, rm -rf node_modules, remove package-lock.json, and then run npm install again.
Timer
on 26 Feb 2018
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Most helpful comment
You should never rely on transitive dependencies. For example if React uses PropTypes internally (without exposing them), it could potentially remove them or change their major version, and do so in a patch release. This is safe if they’re not exposed.
Therefore you should never rely on other packages’ transitive dependencies just “being there”. Always explicitly install them (and add them to package.json) to avoid them breaking.