VueJS - Component Caching

Caching Components for Performance

Component caching in VueJS can significantly improve the performance of your application by storing the state of inactive components and reusing them when they become active again. This guide covers how to cache components using Vue's built-in <keep-alive> component.

Using the <keep-alive> Component

The <keep-alive> component is a built-in Vue component that caches dynamic components. Wrap the components you want to cache with <keep-alive>:

// App.vue



                

Preserving State with <keep-alive>

When a component is cached using <keep-alive>, its state is preserved even when it is inactive. This includes data properties, computed properties, and methods:

// ComponentA.vue




// ComponentB.vue




// App.vue



                

Controlling Cached Components

You can control which components are cached using the include and exclude props on the <keep-alive> component:

// App.vue



                

Using Lifecycle Hooks with Cached Components

Cached components have access to two additional lifecycle hooks: activated and deactivated. These hooks are called when a component is activated or deactivated:

// ComponentA.vue



                

Best Practices

Follow these best practices when caching components in VueJS:

• Cache Only When Necessary: Use component caching only for components that benefit from it, such as those with expensive initialization or frequent toggling.
• Monitor Memory Usage: Monitor memory usage to ensure that caching components does not lead to excessive memory consumption.
• Use Lifecycle Hooks: Utilize the activated and deactivated hooks to manage the behavior of cached components.
• Combine with Lazy Loading: Combine component caching with lazy loading to optimize performance further.
• Test Thoroughly: Test the behavior of cached components in different scenarios to ensure they work as expected.

Summary

This guide provided an overview of caching components in VueJS, including how to use the <keep-alive> component, preserving state, controlling cached components, using lifecycle hooks, and best practices. By understanding and utilizing these techniques, you can improve the performance and user experience of your VueJS applications.