When should I use the REPL vs running files?
Use the REPL for quick experiments, trying APIs, and one-liners. Run files for real scripts, servers, and applications you want to keep, version-control, or run repeatedly. The REPL is a scratchpad; files are for reproducible work.
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More FAQs in Node.js REPL vs Running Files: When to Use Each
The Read-Eval-Print Loop. Type node in the terminal, and you can type JavaScript and see results immediately, like a console. It is great for trying APIs, testing expressions, and quick experiments.
No. When you exit the REPL, your code is gone. For anything you want to keep or run repeatedly, use a file. The REPL is for one-off tests and experiments, not for code you want to save.
Save your JavaScript in a file, like app.js, then run node app.js in your terminal. This is for real scripts and applications that you want to keep, version-control, or run repeatedly.
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