Context API vs Redux

Introduction

React provides various methods for state management, with Context API and Redux being two of the most popular choices. This lesson will explore their fundamental concepts, use cases, and key differences.

What is Context API?

The Context API is a built-in feature of React that enables you to share state across components without having to pass props down manually through every level of the component tree.

Creating a Context

const MyContext = React.createContext();

Providing Context

<MyContext.Provider value={/* some value */}>
    {/* children components */}
</MyContext.Provider>
        

Consuming Context

const value = React.useContext(MyContext);
        

What is Redux?

Redux is a predictable state container for JavaScript applications. It provides a centralized store for your application's state and enforces unidirectional data flow, making your app’s state predictable.

Core Concepts

• Store: Holds the application's state.
• Actions: Payloads of information that send data from your application to the store.
• Reducers: Pure functions that take the current state and action as arguments and return a new state.

Using Redux

import { createStore } from 'redux';

const store = createStore(reducer);
        

Comparison

Similarities

• Both manage state.
• Both can be used to share data across components.

Differences

• Context API is easier to set up and use for simpler applications.
• Redux provides a more robust solution for complex applications with middleware support.
• Context API does not require additional libraries, while Redux does.

Best Practices

Context API

• Use it for global settings or themes.
• Do not use it for frequently changing data.

Redux

• Maintain a clear structure in your reducers.
• Use middleware for side effects (e.g., Redux Thunk, Saga).

FAQ