Global state management in React applications has classically relied on Redux. However, with the release of React Hooks & Context API, the developers have a native solution against the Redux architecture to reconsider their dependency.
In this blog, let’s discuss how you can replace Redux with React’s Hooks and Context API and what should you come across while doing so.
Core Differences Between Redux and Context API
Redux and the Context API both deal with the propagation of state information in a React application. However, there are differences between them.
- Redux is a standalone state management library by its nature, it contains the state of your application and has a strict way of managing it through actions and reducers. While using it, it requires setup and additional dependencies for things like middleware to handle side effects like asynchronous operations.
- Context API is a part of React and provides the means to share state throughout the tree without prop drilling. That’s why it is most valuable in small applications or where the state is not too complicated. Although it offers a solution for managing the global state, it is less complex and less featured than Redux.
When to Use Redux vs. Context API
Before diving into this article, one has to ask if your project requires Redux, or if the newer Context API would suffice. Redux shines when:
- You have a large application with a lot of states and many interactions between those states.
- State changes require tools such as Redux DevTools for debugging purposes.
- The use of Redux Thunk or Saga is obvious for working with asynchronous actions.
Use React’s Context API when:
- Global state management is simpler.
- You are on a mission to remove external dependencies such as Redux.
That is the basic understanding of using Redux or Context API. This understanding must prevail among your React developers. So, hire React engineers who understand when, why, and how to use Redux, Context API, and React Hooks.
Replacing Redux with React’s Hooks and Context API
Making a transition from Redux to Hooks and Context API can be done in a few simple steps.
- Use React’s createContext to create a context that holds the global state.
- In Redux, reducers handle the state changes. To replicate this behavior, you have to use useReducer hook and it will allow you to manage complex state logic in a similar fashion.
- There is a Provider component in Redux that allows the app to access the store. Replace it with Context.Provider to make the context value available throughout the component tree.
- A middleware component like Thunk is used to manage asynchronous actions in Redux. In React, you will use useEffect to manage such operations.
Benefits of React Hooks and Context API
- Reduced Complexity
Implementation of Context API is easier. It doesn’t require setting up a store, writing action creators, or installing middleware.
- Elimination of Boilerplate
Redux necessitates lots of action, reducer, and store setup code—additionally, it contains many more features. With Context API, it becomes easier to handle state and, therefore, focus more on building features.
- Fewer Dependencies
With Context API, you do not need to download extra libraries to handle the global state of your project, which is good since it does not add to the burden of your project but instead simplifies its workload.
Challenges in Replacing Redux with Hooks and Context API
Some limitations of Context API must be considered. There are no advanced debugging tools like in Redux. Moreover, Context API can create performance issues if you don’t use it carefully. It is prone to unnecessary re-rendering across the component tree.
Redux is without any doubt the best choice for larger applications. However, you may opt for Hooks or Context API for smaller applications.
Conclusion
It is now clear that React’s Hooks and Context API are more than capable alternatives to Redux, especially within small to medium-sized projects. State management is made easier and eliminating dependencies is done away with promoting a cleaner code.
Despite Redux proving effective in large applications where a complex state is needed, Context API is the best native solution for those who want to optimize their React apps.
