{"id":56504,"date":"2023-01-24T20:24:42","date_gmt":"2023-01-24T14:54:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tothenew.com\/blog\/?p=56504"},"modified":"2025-07-21T21:58:56","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T16:28:56","slug":"introduction-to-gulp-js-beginners-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tothenew.com\/blog\/introduction-to-gulp-js-beginners-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction to Gulp.js: Beginner’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Gulp

GULP FOR BEGINNERS<\/p><\/div>\n

INTRODUCTION<\/b><\/h1>\n

Gulp is an open-source Javascript toolkit and task runner which is built on Node.js and NPM and used for the optimization of time-consuming and repetitive tasks. It reduces the time and effort required for repetitive tasks, making it an essential tool for teams working on custom web application development<\/a> and scalable digital solutions. Hundreds of plugins are available for different tasks You don\u2019t have to program everything by yourself, there are nearly 800 plugins ready for Gulp.js. But even more, Node.js modules can be used to build the perfect build and development process for your needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

WHY GULP JS?<\/b><\/h2>\n

As a Developer or Web Designer, you will likely need plenty of things to build a modern website: a development server, a preprocessor for your Sass, Less, or Stylus files, automation to bundle your JavaScript, tools to optimize your code, to compress, compile or move things around. And if you change something, you want your files to update automatically, or refresh the browser. You don\u2019t want to do this manually. \u201cIt significantly improves developer productivity\u2014an important factor when delivering high-quality digital products through our digital engineering services<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Installation of Gulp<\/b><\/h2>\n

STEP-1:<\/b> First we need node js which you can download <\/span>here.<\/span><\/a> Follow the steps and install Nodejs and in the command prompt or terminal enter the following command<\/span><\/p>\n

Node -v<\/span><\/pre>\n
it will show you the version<\/span><\/p>\n
STEP2:<\/b>Now after the Installation of Nodejs. Install Gulp js globally in the same way. Enter the following command in the command prompt or terminal<\/span><\/p>\n
npm install gulp-cli -g<\/pre>\n
In the same way, check it by entering<\/span><\/p>\n
gulp -v<\/pre>\n
It will show the version.<\/span><\/p>\n
\"\"<\/p>\n
Setting Up Your Project<\/b><\/h2>\n
Before setting up the project let’s learn a few things more<\/span><\/p>\n
Build System<\/b><\/h3>\n
A Build System is referred to as a collection of tasks (collectively called task runners), which automate repetitive work.<\/span><\/p>\n
gulpfile.js<\/b><\/h3>\n
A gulpfile is a file in your project directory titled gulpfile.js that automatically loads when you run the gulp command.<\/span><\/p>\n
src (source) & dist (distribution)<\/b><\/h3>\n
The src folder will contain all your source files such as plain JavaScript, uncompressed (s) CSS, and many more. The dist folder will be completely built up by Gulp. You can always check if gulp is working fine by deleting the dist folder and rebuilding it gulp, which you’re going to learn.<\/span><\/p>\n
Installation for Project<\/b><\/h2>\n
To set up your project on your computer, create a folder called “Webpage” for example. You can also create a theme folder if you’re using CMS like <\/span>Drupal<\/b>. Then initialize a node project by running the usual command. Create a package.json file in your project directory by<\/span><\/p>\n
npm init<\/span><\/pre>\n
Install the gulp package in your devDependencies<\/span><\/p>\n
npm install --save-dev gulp<\/span><\/pre>\n
Verify your gulp version<\/span><\/p>\n
gulp --version<\/span><\/pre>\n
Create a gulpfile<\/b><\/h3>\n
Create a file <\/span>gulpfile.js<\/b> and add the following code for testing<\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>function defaultTask(cb) {\r\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\/\/ place code for your default task here\r\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0cb();\r\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0}\r\n  \u00a0 \u00a0exports.default = defaultTask<\/pre>\n
Run the gulp command in your project directory:<\/span><\/p>\n
gulp\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n<\/span><\/pre>\n
The default task will run and do nothing. That means gulp is perfectly working. Now we can go further. If not, Follow the same steps again The Webpage folder contains the following sub-folders and files –<\/span><\/p>\n