Ask HN: Best way to install JS?

#1

Post by logvol » Fri, Jun 07, 2013, 10:36 PM UTC

The SaaSquatches over at Referral SaaSquatch want to know what the best way is to get a JS library installed.

A bunch of companies like us rely on a javascript library being installed as part of the setup process, for example: KissMetrics, Intercom, MixPanel and Olark to name a few.

How do we make installing the javascript library as easy as possible?

Besides providing a copy-paste snippet, good documentation, and follow up emails, is there anything that we're missing? In your experience, what has made installing a javascript library an enjoyable experience?

Re: Ask HN: Best way to install JS?

#2

Post by kellros » Fri, Jun 07, 2013, 10:58 PM UTC

Well, consider a starter kit (install script to copy/paste) vs. being spoon fed (integration into other software to reduce installation to a simple product flag with optional configuration). A lot of people still prefer using JS libraries directly, specifically for development purposes instead of using a CDN.

At this moment I'm not entirely sure what your JS library does, but if it can be referenced locally, then it would be worthwhile to allow grabbing it via npm/nuget/similar package managers.

Re: Ask HN: Best way to install JS?

#3

Post by mdu » Sat, Jun 08, 2013, 4:00 PM UTC

Take a look at http://bower.io while you are at it.