symbols in Package.json

There are several symbols that can be used in a package version number in a package.json file to specify a version range:

Caret

• ^ (caret): This signifies that the package should be updated to the latest version that is compatible with the specified version range. For example, ^1.2.3 would be updated to the latest version of 1.x.x that is compatible with version 1.2.3. This allows patch and minor version updates, but not major version updates.

Tilde

• ~ (tilde): This signifies that the package should be updated to the latest version that is compatible with the specified version range, including minor version updates. For example, ~1.2.3 would be updated to the latest version of 1.2.x that is compatible with version 1.2.3. This allows patch version updates, but not minor or major version updates.

Greater

• > (greater than): This signifies that the package should be updated to a version that is greater than the specified version. For example, >1.2.3 would be updated to a version that is greater than 1.2.3.

• >= (greater than or equal to): This signifies that the package should be updated to a version that is greater than or equal to the specified version. For example, >=1.2.3 would be updated to a version that is greater than or equal to 1.2.3.

Less

• < (less than): This signifies that the package should be updated to a version that is less than the specified version. For example, <1.2.3 would be updated to a version that is less than 1.2.3.

• <= (less than or equal to): This signifies that the package should be updated to a version that is less than or equal to the specified version. For example, <=1.2.3 would be updated to a version that is less than or equal to 1.2.3.

Wildcard

• - (wildcard): This signifies that any version of the package is allowed. This is usually used as a catch-all for dependencies that do not have a specific version requirement.

You can also specify multiple version ranges separated by the || (or) symbol. For example, ^1.2.3 || >=2.0.0 would allow any version that is compatible with 1.2.3, or any version that is greater than or equal to 2.0.0.