{"id":17849,"library":"ntcjs","title":"Name That Color JS (NTCJS)","description":"NTCJS is a Node.js CommonJS-compatible wrapper for the original Name That Color JavaScript library by Chirag Mehta. It provides a straightforward utility to convert hexadecimal color codes (e.g., `#6195ED`) into human-readable color names, along with the closest matching RGB value and an exact match boolean. The current stable version, 1.1.3 (or 1.1.4 for `@trihargianto/ntcjs`), has not been updated in several years, indicating a maintenance or effectively abandoned status. It primarily targets CommonJS environments, but ships TypeScript types for enhanced developer experience. Its key differentiator is its simplicity and direct port of the well-known 'Name That Color' algorithm, without additional features like i18n or advanced color manipulation found in other libraries.","status":"maintenance","version":"1.1.3","language":"javascript","source_language":"en","source_url":"https://github.com/pbojinov/name-that-color","tags":["javascript","name","that","color","hex","rgb","hue","ntc","ntc.js","typescript"],"install":[{"cmd":"npm install ntcjs","lang":"bash","label":"npm"},{"cmd":"yarn add ntcjs","lang":"bash","label":"yarn"},{"cmd":"pnpm add ntcjs","lang":"bash","label":"pnpm"}],"dependencies":[],"imports":[{"note":"The `ntcjs` package is explicitly designed for CommonJS environments. While bundlers might allow `import ntc from 'ntcjs';` for ESM projects, native Node.js ESM will require dynamic import or a CommonJS wrapper. TypeScript users typically use `import` syntax, and the provided types assist here, but it transpiles to `require` for CJS targets.","wrong":"import ntc from 'ntcjs';","symbol":"ntc","correct":"const ntc = require('ntcjs');"},{"note":"The main function to resolve a color name is a method on the imported `ntc` object, specifically `ntc.name()`. Calling `ntc` directly as a function will result in an error.","wrong":"ntc('#6195ED');","symbol":"name","correct":"ntc.name('#6195ED');"},{"note":"As the library ships TypeScript types, you can import the `NTCResult` type for type-checking the output. Using `import type` ensures it's purely a type import and is removed during compilation, avoiding potential runtime issues with non-existent value imports.","wrong":"import { NTCResult } from 'ntcjs';","symbol":"NTCResult","correct":"import type { NTCResult } from 'ntcjs';"}],"quickstart":{"code":"import { readFileSync } from 'node:fs';\nimport ntc from 'ntcjs'; // In a real ESM setup, this might require a bundler or Node.js --experimental-json-modules\n\n// Example of usage from the README\nconst hexColor = '#6195ED';\nconst n_match = ntc.name(hexColor);\n\nconst n_rgb = n_match[0]; // RGB value of closest match\nconst n_name = n_match[1]; // Text string: Color name\nconst n_exactmatch = n_match[2]; // True if exact color match\n\nconsole.log(`Input Hex: ${hexColor}`);\nconsole.log(`Closest RGB: ${n_rgb}`);\nconsole.log(`Color Name: ${n_name}`);\nconsole.log(`Exact Match: ${n_exactmatch}`);\n\n// Demonstrating with another color\nconst anotherHex = '#FF0000';\nconst another_match = ntc.name(anotherHex);\nconsole.log(`\\nInput Hex: ${anotherHex}`);\nconsole.log(`Closest RGB: ${another_match[0]}`);\nconsole.log(`Color Name: ${another_match[1]}`);\nconsole.log(`Exact Match: ${another_match[2]}`);\n\n// Demonstrating with a slightly off color\nconst offHex = '#FE0001';\nconst off_match = ntc.name(offHex);\nconsole.log(`\\nInput Hex: ${offHex}`);\nconsole.log(`Closest RGB: ${off_match[0]}`);\nconsole.log(`Color Name: ${off_match[1]}`);\nconsole.log(`Exact Match: ${off_match[2]}`);","lang":"typescript","description":"This quickstart demonstrates how to import and use the `ntcjs` library to get the name of a given hexadecimal color code. It shows the structured array output including the closest RGB value, the color name, and whether it was an exact match. It uses `import` syntax suitable for TypeScript."},"warnings":[{"fix":"For Node.js ESM, consider using `import(pkgName)` for dynamic imports. For TypeScript, ensure your `tsconfig.json` `module` option is compatible (e.g., `\"CommonJS\"` or a bundler-friendly option) or configure your build system to handle CJS imports in ESM contexts. If you encounter `ERR_REQUIRE_ESM`, you'll need to adjust your module resolution strategy.","message":"The `ntcjs` package is primarily a CommonJS module. While it ships TypeScript types, native Node.js ESM environments might require specific `package.json` configurations (`\"type\": \"module\"` with `\"exports\"`) or dynamic `import()` to use it, or a bundler to transpile correctly.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":">=1.0.0"},{"fix":"Destructure the array immediately after calling `ntc.name()` for better readability and maintainability: `const [rgbValue, colorName, isExactMatch] = ntc.name('#HEX');`.","message":"The `ntc.name()` function returns an array, not an object. Developers often forget the order of elements (RGB value, color name, exact match boolean) and might access `n_match.name` instead of `n_match[1]`.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":">=1.0.0"},{"fix":"Always ensure the input is a 6-digit hexadecimal string prefixed with '#', such as '#RRGGBB'. Validate user input if colors are dynamic.","message":"The library expects hexadecimal color strings as input, typically prefixed with '#'. Providing invalid formats (e.g., shorthand hex, named colors, RGB/HSL strings, or hex without '#') may lead to incorrect results or errors. The original NTC library primarily deals with hex input.","severity":"gotcha","affected_versions":">=1.0.0"},{"fix":"For new projects requiring active maintenance or broader color space support (like HSL, CMYK, i18n, or more modern color names), consider alternatives like `chroma.js` or wrappers that build upon it, such as `@oz-tal/name-that-color-and-hue-i18n`, which actively maintain and extend similar functionality.","message":"The `ntcjs` package has not received updates for several years (version 1.1.3 published 5 years ago, although `@trihargianto/ntcjs` is 1.1.4 and 2 years old). While the core functionality is stable, it means no new features, performance improvements, or official security patches are likely to be released.","severity":"deprecated","affected_versions":"<=1.1.3"}],"env_vars":null,"last_verified":"2026-04-23T00:00:00.000Z","next_check":"2026-07-22T00:00:00.000Z","problems":[{"fix":"Call the `name` method: `ntc.name('#6195ED');`","cause":"Attempting to call the imported `ntc` module directly as a function instead of using its `name` method.","error":"TypeError: ntc is not a function"},{"fix":"In a Node.js ESM project, use `import ntc from 'ntcjs';` if your setup (e.g., bundler or `package.json` `exports` field) allows interoperability, or consider dynamic import: `const ntc = await import('ntcjs');`.","cause":"Attempting to use `require()` in a Node.js ESM module context without proper configuration or transpilation.","error":"ReferenceError: require is not defined"},{"fix":"Access array elements by index: `n_match[1]` for the name. For better readability, destructure the array: `const [rgb, name, exact] = ntc.name('#HEX');`.","cause":"Trying to access `n_match.name` on the array returned by `ntc.name()`, which is a common JavaScript mistake when an array is mistaken for an object with named properties.","error":"Property 'name' does not exist on type 'string[]'."}],"ecosystem":"npm","meta_description":null,"install_score":null,"install_tag":null,"quickstart_score":null,"quickstart_tag":null}