Using NPM Packages with the New Web3.js Version: A Guide for Solana Developers
As a developer on the Solana network, you are probably familiar with the popular Solana Wallet, which is a key tool for verifying the health and usage of your Solana wallet. However, when using the latest version of Solana Explorer (Solana v0.20.17 or later), it has been reported that certain NPM packages require an older version of Web3.js (Web3.js < 2.0.0). In this article, we will walk you through the steps to update your dependencies and ensure seamless usage with new versions of Web3.js.
Why does Solana Explorer require a specific version of Web3.js?
The issue stems from the way Solana Explorer is designed to communicate with the Solana network. The @solana-program/compute-budget package, which is used to build budgets and validate transactions, relies on an older version of Web3.js to function properly. Unfortunately, as you may have noticed, upgrading Solana Explorer can cause these dependencies to fail.
Updating Your Dependencies:
To resolve this issue, we will walk you through the process of updating your NPM packages that require new versions of Web3.js. The exact steps will vary depending on your project’s specific package settings and configurations.
Step 1: Update @solana-program/compute-budget to a compatible version
First, make sure you have @solana-program/compute-budget installed as a peer dependency in your package.json file:
"dependencies": {
"@solana-program/compute-budget": "^2.0.0-beta.1"
} }
If a previous version is already listed, you can remove it and upgrade to the latest beta version:
"dependencies": {
"@solana-program/compute-budget": "^3.0.0-beta.1"
} }
Step 2: Update other dependencies that require Web3.js
Depending on the specific requirements of your project, you may need to update other NPM packages that rely on older versions of Web3.js. Some examples include:
@solana/web3.js: Install the latest version (Web3.js ≥ 4.9.0) using npm:
npm install @solana/web3.js@>=4.9.0
compute-budget: Update to a compatible version as mentioned earlier.
@safeflix/fetch-api: Install the latest version (Fetch API < 2.1.5) and update yourpackage.jsonfile accordingly.
Step 3: Check changes after dependency updates
After you make these updates, verify that your project’s NPM packages are compatible with the latest versions of Web3.js by checking for peer dependency errors in your package.json files or using a tool like npm ls.
Conclusion
Updating your NPM packages to use newer versions of Web3.js can require some effort and flexibility. However, following these steps will ensure that you can continue to use the latest Solana Explorer features with compatible dependencies.
If you encounter any issues during the update process, please feel free to contact the Solana Community Forums or the appropriate package maintainer for assistance.
By taking this simple step forward, you will be able to leverage the full potential of the Solana network and build applications that showcase its incredible scalability and performance.