React State Round Up

Aug 5, 2020

Dive into the world of React State libraries as the hosts dissect the pros and cons of using Context and Redux. They share tales of performance challenges and the nuances of various state management methods. Discover XState's power alongside ZooStand's simplicity. The conversation offers insights into user-friendly libraries that streamline code with Hooks and Redux Dev Tools. Plus, the hosts unravel the complexities of Apollo Client and highlight useful alternatives like RxJS and React Query, ensuring you navigate your state management wisely.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Context Optimization

Split React Context to avoid re-renders.
Separate contexts by functionality (checkout, navigation, alerts).

INSIGHT

Context Fundamentals

React Context itself doesn't hold state; it's a delivery mechanism.
Use useContext with regular React state for managing data within Context.

ADVICE

Custom Context Hooks

Export a custom hook that wraps useContext for cleaner, more readable code.
This avoids importing both useContext and the context itself.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this episode of Syntax, Scott and Wes talk about React State libraries, should you use them, pros, cons, and more!

Sanity - Sponsor

Sanity.io is a real-time headless CMS with a fully customizable Content Studio built in React. Get a Sanity powered site up and running in minutes at sanity.io/create. Get an awesome supercharged free developer plan on sanity.io/syntax.

Sentry - Sponsor

If you want to know what’s happening with your errors, track them with Sentry. Sentry is open-source error tracking that helps developers monitor and fix crashes in real time. Cut your time on error resolution from five hours to five minutes. It works with any language and integrates with dozens of other services. Syntax listeners can get two months for free by visiting Sentry.io and using the coupon code “tastytreat”.

Show Notes

01:24 - Context

Have we used?
- Scott: Yes
- Wes: Yes
Pros
- Built into React
- As simple or complex as you want
Cons
- Takes effort to optimize
- Takes effort to plan and organize aka can get out of hand quickly

08:49 - Redux

Have we used?
- Scott: Yes
- Wes: Yes
Pros
- Huge user base
- Legacy of growth and improvements
- Modern API
- Even though it’s hard to learn, it has a clear “how to build with it” path
- Dev tools
Cons
- Complex
- Thing that calls a thing that calls a thing that calls a thing
- Confusion around what additional packages are needed, e.g. ducks, saga, whatever

17:08 - XState

Have we used?
- Scott: Yes
- Wes: No
Pros
- Enforces solid design patterns
- Very safe
- Awesome tooling like UI to see state machines
- https://xstate.js.org/viz/
Cons
- Knowledge overhead - having to understand state machines
- Complex syntax

23:26 - Zustand

Have we used?
- Scott: Yes
- Wes: No
Pros
- Fast, scalable, easy to use
- Simpler
- No context providers
Cons
- Smaller community 2.6k stars on Github
- Can inform components transiently (without causing render)

27:04 - Apollo Client

Have we used?
- Scott: Yes
- Wes: Yes
Pros
- Fits in well with your GraphQL API
- Dev tools
Cons
- Complex, large syntax for simple operations
- Dev tools
- SSR story is really complex. It’s hard because they aren’t also the framework.

31:35 - RXJS

Have we used?
- Scott: No
- Wes: No
Observable based

33:02 - React Query

Have we used?
- Scott: No
- Wes:
Pros
- Fast growing community
- Awesome dev tools
Cons
- Not sure if this can be used for application state or just data

35:37 - Recoil

Have we used?
- Scott: Yes
- Wes: No
Pros
- Very good for complex, splintered state needs
Cons
- Overly complex for most use cases

38:34 - MobX

Have we used?
- Scott: No
- Wes: No
Pros
- Big community
- Not just React
- Powerful
- Observable capabilities
Cons
- Uses decorators, but doesn’t have to?

43:15 - Easy Peasy

Have we used?
- Scott: No
- Wes: No
Pros
- Simple API (easy peasy)
- Redux dev tools supported

45:06 - Meteor ReactiveDict / ReactiveVar

Have we used?
- Scott: Yes
- Wes: No
Pros
- Very simple
- Get, set
- Is Reactive
Cons
- Lock-in to Meteor

46:19 - Final Thoughts On State

Wes: Go for simpler solutions
Scott: I think application state should be separate from application data, but maybe that’s because there isn’t a solution that does both how I want

Links

××× SIIIIICK ××× PIIIICKS ×××

Scott: Becoming Bond
Wes: IRWIN VISE-GRIP GrooveLock Pliers Set

Shameless Plugs

Scott: Modern CSS Design Systems - Sign up for the year and save 25%!
Wes: All Courses - Use the coupon code ‘Syntax’ for $10 off!

Tweet us your tasty treats!

Scott’s Instagram
LevelUpTutorials Instagram
Wes’ Instagram
Wes’ Twitter
Wes’ Facebook
Scott’s Twitter
Make sure to include @SyntaxFM in your tweets