Context API vs Redux

Redux and Context API are two popular solutions for global managing state in React applications. While they both serve the same purpose, they have distinct characteristics that make them suitable for different scenarios.??

Context API??

• Built-in: Context API comes built-in with React, eliminating the need for additional libraries.?
• Simple Setup: Setting up a single context is straightforward.?
• Limited Scalability: Adding new state properties necessitates creating new contexts, potentially leading to "provider hell" in the main application file (App.js).?
• No Asynchronous Support: Lacks built-in mechanisms for handling asynchronous operations.?
• Performance Considerations: Performance optimization requires manual effort.?
• Limited Developer Tools: Relies solely on React DevTools for debugging.?

Redux??

• External Library: Requires the installation of the Redux library, increasing the bundle size.?
• Complex Setup: Setting up Redux involves more steps compared to Context API.?
• Scalable State Management: Redux excels at managing complex state with multiple slices (smaller portions of state).?
• Asynchronous Support: Redux provides middleware for handling asynchronous operations efficiently.?
• Performance Optimization: Redux offers built-in mechanisms for performance optimization.?
• Enhanced Developer Tools: Redux DevTools extension provides a comprehensive suite of debugging tools.?

When to use context API or Redux ???

However choosing between Context API and Redux depends on the complexity of your application's state management needs.??

• Use the Context API for global state management in small apps.?
• Use Redux for global state management in large apps.?

Context API + useReducer??

1. when you just need to share a value that doesn't change often [Color theme, preferred language, authenticated user,...]?

2. when you need to solve a simple prop drilling problem.?

3. when you need to manage state in a local sub-tree of the app(for example in the compound component pattern).?

Redux??

1. When you have lots of global UI state that needs to be updated frequently (because Redux is optimized for this) [Shopping cart, current tabs, complex filters or search,...]?
2. When you have complex state with nested objects and arrays (because you can mutate state with Redux ToolKit).Note: These are not super common in UI state..??

The image effectively summarizes the key differences between Context API and Redux.??

By understanding these strengths and weaknesses, you can effectively select the most suitable state management solution for your React projects.??

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Author: Gulshan Kumar – Chimera Technocrat?

Gulshan Patel is a Software Engineer at Chimera Technologies, he passionate about learning new technologies. As he encountered a challenge regarding the appropriate use of Context API and Redux in a React project, he actively sought to enhance his understanding in this area.?