Redux vs React Query : Choosing the Right State Management for Your React App

In React development, efficient state management is key. Redux and React Query are popular options, each with distinct features and use cases. Let's delve into both and compare them.

Redux:

Redux is a predictable state container for JavaScript applications, primarily used with React. It centralises state management, ensuring predictability and traceability of state changes. Core concepts include:

• Store: Centralizes the application state.

• Actions: Plain JavaScript objects describing state changes.

• Reducers: Pure functions updating state based on dispatched actions.

• Selectors: Functions extracting specific pieces of state.

Example: In a shopping cart app, Redux manages adding items to the cart, updating its state, and extracting relevant information like total items or cost using reducers and selectors.

React Query:

React Query specializes in remote data fetching, caching, and synchronization in React apps. It simplifies fetching data from APIs and focuses on server-state synchronization and cache management. Core concepts include:

• Queries: Fetching data from a remote server or local cache.

• Mutations: Modifying data on the server.

• Cache: Automatically caching query results.

• Invalidation and Refetching: Handling cache invalidation and triggering automatic refetches.

Example: In a social media app, React Query manages fetching posts, caching results, and synchronising with the server. When users create or like posts, React Query updates the cache and keeps the timeline up-to-date.

Comparison:

1. Complexity: Redux involves more boilerplate code compared to React Query.

2. Data Fetching: React Query provides built-in support for data fetching, caching, and synchronization, making it ideal for data-intensive apps.

3. Server-state Synchronization: React Query excels in real-time server-state synchronization and cache management.

4. Community and Ecosystem: Redux boasts a larger community and ecosystem, while React Query is gaining traction.

Conclusion:

Redux and React Query are robust state management tools for React apps, each with its strengths. Choose Redux for complex state management and React Query for efficient data fetching and synchronization. Consider your project's needs and prioritize simplicity, scalability, and maintainability. Whether you opt for Redux, React Query, or both, make an informed decision aligned with your project requirements.