[leichtgewicht]

Yes, a package.json is good to get the required dependencies. This article is about possible dependencies that help in cases where you all the possible would mean a huge load on the system.

[flukus]

If you can use a package without them then they aren't really dependencies are they?

[leichtgewicht]

True, how should those things be called?

[myhf]

A good example is Consolidate, which provides a consistent API to various template libraries. You wouldn't want to force installation of all the unused libraries.

https://github.com/tj/consolidate.js

[leichtgewicht]

Will add a link to the "other problems" list, thanks!

[yid]

How is it a huge load on the system given that node can lazy load modules? Do you mean disk space?