Advantages of Redux over MobX in React
State management is an important aspect of building large-scale, complex applications in React. Two popular libraries for managing state in React are Redux and MobX. While both libraries provide similar functionality, they have some key differences that make one or the other more suitable for certain types of projects. In this article, we’ll explore the advantages of Redux over MobX in React.
Simplicity
One of the main advantages of Redux is its simplicity. The basic concepts of Redux, such as actions, reducers, and the store, are easy to understand and implement. The Redux library is small, with minimal abstraction, and does not introduce any complex concepts. This makes it easy for developers to learn and start using it in their projects.
On the other hand, MobX has a steeper learning curve. While it is also relatively simple, it introduces additional concepts such as observables, actions, and reactions, that may make it more difficult for developers to grasp at first.
Predictability
Another advantage of Redux is its predictability. The central idea behind Redux is that the state of the application is described by a single, immutable state tree. This means that the state of the application can only be changed by dispatching an action, which is then handled by a reducer function. The reducer function then returns a new state, which is passed to the store and subsequently propagated to the components.
This predictability is beneficial because it makes it easy to understand how the state of the application changes over time, and also makes it easy to debug and test the application.
On the other hand, MobX is more open-ended in how state changes can be handled. Since MobX relies on the concept of observables, it allows for more flexibility in how state is updated, which can make it more difficult to understand how the state changes and also more challenging to debug and test.
Scaling
Redux also has an advantage when it comes to scaling. One of the most important aspects of managing state in large-scale applications is being able to break the application down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This is where Redux’s concept of “reducer composition” comes into play.
Reducer composition is the process of breaking down a single reducer function into smaller, more manageable functions. This allows for better code reuse and makes it easier to manage state across different parts of the application.
On the other hand, MobX does not have a specific concept for breaking down state management. Instead, it relies on the developer to manually break down the state and actions into smaller, more manageable chunks. This can make it more difficult to scale state management in large applications.
Conclusion
While both Redux and MobX are powerful tools for managing state in React, they have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Redux is a simpler and more predictable library, which makes it easier to learn and understand. It also has a built-in mechanism for scaling, which makes it more suitable for large-scale applications. On the other hand, MobX is more flexible and open-ended, which can make it more difficult to understand and scale, but can be useful in certain types of projects. Ultimately, the choice between the two libraries will depend on the specific requirements of the project.
