When running npm run dev
in a Laravel project, it triggers Laravel Mix, a tool that simplifies the management and compilation of assets using webpack. Here's what happens during the process:
- Asset Compilation:
Laravel Mix compiles and processes JavaScript, CSS, and other assets. It uses webpack to bundle, transpile, and manage these resources efficiently.
- Combining and Minifying:
During development, assets might be split into multiple files for better organization. Laravel Mix combines and optimizes these files during the production build (npm run prod
), ensuring better performance by minifying the assets.
- Versioning for Cache Busting:
Laravel Mix supports versioning by appending unique hashes to filenames, which is essential for cache busting. When assets are updated, browsers are forced to re-download the new versions due to the filename changes.
- Source Maps in Development:
In development mode (npm run dev
), source maps are generated, allowing developers to debug their original source code (e.g., JavaScript or Sass) within the browser, even if the code served is minified.
Running npm run dev
ensures assets are properly compiled and ready for development. For production, npm run prod
generates more optimized files suited for better performance.