"If you have a C++ compiler that works, you should be fine. I've never had an issue installing a package that isn't, in fact, a C++ issue."

I've also had a compilation problem on Windows caused by Python not being installed (IIRC, the SASS package needed gyp, which uses Python). That was exceptional: I expect npm packages to install without issue, although I'm still bothered by how many dependent packages every tool seems to need.