New auth string in npm v9/node.js v18 - Backwards compatible ?

[melroyvandenberg]

Details

As stated here the _auth config in npmrc file is changed: https://github.com/nodejs/node/blob/main/doc/changelogs/CHANGELOG_V18.md#auth

Now we need to include the full artifactory URL / scoped URL as part of the auth string. like so: //registery.address/api/npm/npmjs/:_auth=...

Question: If I fix this issue, will it still work on older NPM versions (below npm v9)?
So is this a backwards compatible change?

I ask this for a production environment setup. Thanks!

Node.js version

v18 (LTS)

Example code

always-auth=true

registry=https://registery.address/api/npm/npmjs/

//registery.address/api/npm/npmjs/:_auth=<base_64_user:password>

Operating system

Linux

Scope

runtime

Module and version

Not applicable.

[melroyvandenberg]

Anybody?

[richardlau]

cc @nodejs/npm

[lukekarrys]

Yes, this change is backwards compatible. I don't have specifics of how far back but it should be at least in all supported versions of npm (>=6).

[melroyvandenberg]

Yes, this change is backwards compatible. I don't have specifics of how far back but it should be at least in all supported versions of npm (>=6).

Thank you so much for your reply!